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Statement of Former Senator Bongbong Marcos on the UPLB "Gold Bar" Scam

We have just received reports of people gathering because of promises of gold from the Marcoses. We do not know of nor have any involvement of any of these gatherings. It's a scam pure and simple. I have repeatedly warned the public against unscrupulous individuals who have been using our family to advance their personal interests. Today's event is a classic example of that.

OFFICE OF FERDINAND “BONGBONG” R. MARCOS, JR.
Unit 2602, Tycoon Centre
Pearl Drive, Ortigas
Pasig City 1605
Philippines
Telephone:  +63 (02) 490 0618
Facsimile:  +63 (02) 490 0078
Website:  http://www.bongbongmarcos.com

Press Release from the House of Representatives

PINOYS IN CHICAGO, US MIDWEST URGED TO HELP IN SEARCH FOR HAZING SUSPECT

House Committee on Public Information Chair and Committee on Foreign Affairs Member Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy is the principal author of House Bill 3467 or the Revised Anti-Hazing Law.

Overseas Filipinos living in Chicago and the Midwestern states of the US should report to law enforcement authorities if and when they see the suspect in the hazing death of UST law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo, III.

It is their civic duty to help seek justice for Atio Castillo and help US and Philippine law enforcement authorities find the suspect, Ralph Trangia, who first flew to Taiwan and then to Chicago. http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/09/22/1741497/suspect-ust-hazing-death-flies-taiwan

According to the Philippine consulate in Chicago, there are at least 12,684 overseas voters who registered in the US Midwest region for the 2016 Philippine elections. http://www.chicagopcg.com/pr17-17.pdf   

Also, as a Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, I join the call to ask the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel the passports of all the suspects in the hazing death of Castillo.

The movements of these suspects in the tortuous hazing of Castillo must be severely curtailed so that they can be found and arrested. They must not be allowed to elude arrest and prosecution to the fullest extent of our laws.

Press Release - House Committee on Public Information Chair and Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy is the principal author of House Bill 3467 or the Revised Anti-Hazing Law.

Apparently and by all indications from publicly available information, the fraternity to which Horacio Castillo III was seeking admission as a new member, has not learned the tragic and painful lessons of previous fatal hazing incidents that prompted Congress to work on four hazing bills and consult various sectors on how to address hazing.

I personally condole with the family, friends, and loved ones of Horacio Castillo III. While no words can express our deep sorrow about the tragedy, I can say that his death and his memory will spur me and my colleagues into even faster and diligent action on our bills on hazing.

I am certain that the University of Santo Tomas has enough powers and measures in place to address this tragedy at their level. But I must urge the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation to immediately investigate and criminally charge everyone responsible for the hazing death of Horacio Castillo, III.

In crafting House Bill 3467, we incorporated lessons learned from the hazing deaths of Marvin Reglos and Lenny Villa, including suggestions from the Supreme Court to address gaps current laws do not cover.

HB 3467 does not regulate hazing, it makes all hazing illegal. The definition of hazing in this bill is inclusive.

HB 3467 requires the presence of at least two representatives of the school during the initiation. This way, there cannot be any secret initiation. The school representative is duty-bound to make sure no harm is inflicted upon the recruit, neophyte or applicant.

In HB 3467, sudden, unscheduled, or impromptu initiations are not allowed. All initiations must have prior written notice of seven days.

The bill also specifically provides that suffering includes not just physical but also psychological.

Life in prison is the penalty if the hazing results in death (including suicide), rape, sodomy or mutilation.

The bill also lists conditions that will ensure the maximum penalty is applied.

(Taguig City). How should the members of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ensure access to, and adequate supply of, resilient and sustainable energy?

That's the main agenda of the 35th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM35) and Associated Meetings hosted by the Department of Energy (DOE) on Sept. 27 to 29.

“We envision dynamic and robust collaboration within ASEAN and dialogue partners as well as relevant international agencies,” said DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi in describing the upcoming event at Conrad Manila, Pasay City.

With the theme “One ASEAN Community to Resilient and Sustainable Energy,” AMEM 35 will lay the groundwork for enhanced cooperation under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) ‎‎2016-2025, Phase 1: ‎‎2016-2020, according to Cusi.

APAEC is a series of policy guidelines to implement energy cooperation as part of regional integration towards a globally competitive ASEAN.

A closed-door meeting between the ASEAN energy ministers and CEOs on strategies to address power demand in the region will highlight the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2017 Conference which will run concurrent with AMEM35.

The series of ministerial meetings under AMEM35 also include the 14th AMEM+3 (China, Japan and Korea), the 11th East-Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting (EAS-EMM) and the 1st AMEM-International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Dialogue.

Concurrent with the AMEM35 is the Powertrends International Exhibition at the SMX Convention Center.

AMEM and AEBF will jointly open the event in the morning on September 27. The 2017 AEBF Conference will culminate with the closed-door ministers-CEO dialogue late in the afternoon.

AMEM35 is an annual gathering of the Energy Ministers which provides guidance and directions in the development and implementation of key energy sector priority initiatives and work programs in the region consistent with the directives of heads of states/governments of ASEAN.

The Philippines hosted the same meeting in 1997 and in 2004.

The ASEAN was established to promote economic growth and prosperity in the region.  The member-countries include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. - Press Release

DFA, HINIMOK NA KANSELAHIN ANG PASAPORTE NG MGA SUSPEK SA ATIO CASTILLO HAZING DEATH

Bilang kasapi ng House Committee on Foreign Affairs, nanawagan si KABAYAN Party-list Representative Ron P. Salo sa Department of Foreign Affairs na kanselahin na ang mga pasaporte ng lahat na suspek sa hazing, torture na nauwi sa pagkamatay ng aplikante ng Aegis Juris Fraternity na si Horacio “Atio” Castillo, III.

“Naiulat na nakalabas na ng bansa ang isang suspect. Huwag na dapat hayaang makatakas ang iba pa. Iyong nakaalis na ng bansa ay dapat maging limitado na ang galaw at hindi na dapat makapag-biyahe at makapgpalipat-lipat ng bansa gamit ang kanyang Philippine passport,” giit ni Salo.

Inirekomenda din ni Salo sa National Bureau of Investigation at sa sangay ng Philippine National Police na humahawak sa kaso na makipag-ugnayan sa international police agencies, “dapat mayroong nang Interpol alert para sa suspek na nakalabas na ng bansa.”

Ipinayo din ni Salo sa Department of Justice na ilagay sa watch list ng Bureau of Immigration ang mga suspek para di sila maka-iwas sa patuloy na imbestigasyon at kalauna’y paglilitis. (WAKAS)

Qualfon hires Steve DiBari as client relations VP

Contact center services provider Qualfon has announced the appointment of Steve DiBari as vice president of Client Relations. He will be responsible for current client relationships, Qualfon said. With more than 10 years of experience in call center management in various roles, DiBari will work along with Brian Gonzales, director of Client Relations, to further boost Qualfon’s relationship with existing clients. He will report to Kristi Walsh, senior vice president of Client Relations. DiBari has been critical in cultivating relationships and building the embedded pipeline for his previous employers. Qualfon has more than 12,000 employees in outsourcing locations spanning the United States, the Philippines, Guyana, and Mexico. - PR
09 September 2017

Bacolod’s PanAsiatic Call Center receives SSS award

Bacolod-based business process outsourcing (BPO) firm PanAsiatic Call Center Inc is one of this year's Social Security System (SSS) awardees. PanAsiaticCall Center and the other awardee-companies are commended for their enduring commitment to advance the welfare of their employees by complying with the SSS law, said SSS president and CEO Emmanuel Dooc. The Bacolod BPO firm bagged the national Top Employer award for the large account category. Dooc said the chosen top employers have demonstrated faithful compliance with the SSS Law by, among others, reporting their employees within 30 days from start of employment, paying contributions and loan payments promptly and accurately, and actively participating in SSS programs. - 11 September 2017

Staff Virtual launches in the Philippines

Demand for transformational outsourcing and HR solutions from the virtual assistance sector has prompted Staff Virtual to launch in the Philippines. The new company offers customer service, back office, IT solutions, marketing, legal and recruitment based in the Philippines. The company also plans to provide high quality next level virtual assistants. Staff Virtual will initially employ 50 people in the country and plans to add 20 more over the next 12 months. The company said it will connect clients around the world with professionals in the Philippines. The fast-paced global virtual assistance market is estimated at more than USD1bn per year. - PR
11 September 2017

VXI Philippines receives Red Cross award

For promoting voluntary blood donation and organizing mobile blood donations, business process outsourcing (BPO) firm VXI Philippines was honoured with the Blood Services Platinum Award by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). The award was given to VXI Philippines after its employees have donated a total of 727 units of blood since 2016. The BPO firm has also been conducting blood drives across its Metro Manila and Davao sites. The award was given by the PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon at a ceremony in Mandaluyong City. - PR
11 September 2017

300 BPO applicants hired at a Cebu City job fair

Of the more than 1,500 individuals who participated in the first Cebu City business process outsourcing (BPO) job fair, at least 300 jobseekers were hired at the event. EPerformance hired 31 individuals on the spot and signed 18 more to undergo training, according to Nanette Garong, the Cebu City government's consultant on the BPO sector. The job fair, held on 9 September, saw 21 BPO firms participating. Coaches were also present in the Cebu City Sports Center where the event was held to assist the applicants who need to improve their skills. Garong said it was the city's first job fair exclusively dedicated to BPO companies and was in line with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña's thrust toward supporting call centers. - PR
11 September 2017

Philippines-India BPO cooperation seen

The Philippines and India have agreed to work together in terms of business process outsourcing (BPO), according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the two countries will look for ways to work together instead of engaging in fierce competition. India and the Philippines are two of the world's top outsourcing destination and working together, instead of competing, will benefit both countries, Lopez said. He added that the Philippines and India can jointly offer their best services to further entice overseas clients. The BPO industry in India and the Philippines are threatened by the rise of the AI and the protectionist stance of US President Donald Trump. - PR
11 September 2017

Wipro bags 7-year European deal

Global IT and outsourcing firm Wipro has won a contract to manage the data center and cloud services of European energy firm Innogy SE. The size of the deal was not disclosed and Wipro is expected to help Innogy to rationalize, virtualize, and consolidate its IT infrastructure. Wipro said it will invest in and maintain the twin data centers in Germany. It has 11 delivery centers in Europe, with German speaking staff across offices in Frankfurt, Fellbach, Meerbusch, Munich, Hamburg, Vienna, and Zurich. Innogy CIO Marcus Schaper said Wipro is the best partner on the company's IT journey around data center services. The contract with Wipro has been extended in the UK until 2024, he added. - PR
15 September 2017

Ayala's Arca South to include six BPO buildings

Ayala Land's flagship development, Arca South, will include six office buildings targeted toward business process outsourcing companies (BPO). The offices will have around 15,000 square meters of leasable space. Arca South, located along the South Luzon Expressway in Taguig City, is an P80-billion, 74-hectare development that features three residential projects, a 265-room hotel, and the six BPO office buildings. There will also be a mall and lifestyle complex with 72,000 square meters of leasable space as well as open areas. Ayala Land said much of the residential and commercial space in Arca South will start to come on to the market by 2019. - PR
13 September 2017

Capgemini names new India and West Asia head

Consulting, technology and outsourcing firm Capgemini has named Ananth Chandramouli as head of local businesses and services for India and West Asia. He takes over from Kishor Chitale, who moves to a new role in the Asia Pacific region and will be responsible for building the Cloud Services strategy and roadmap for Capgemini. In his new role, Chandramouli will be responsible for formulating local go-to-market strategy, driving revenue growth, and collaborating with partners. Luc-Francois Salvador, chairman and head of Capgemini in Asia Pacific, was confident that Chandramouli will help the take the company's local business services to the next level of growth. - PR
14 September 2017

Sykes announces initial expansion into Cyprus

Sykes Enterprises further augments its multi-lingual customer engagement capabilities following its initial expansion into Cyprus. In a press statement, Sykes said it recently opened a new delivery facility in the city of Larnaca to focus on clients in markets across Northern and Central Europe. The initial pilot of the expansion is led by an existing client in the communications industry, said Christian Schaffer, Senior Vice President for Central & Northern Europe at Sykes. Larnaca is a port city on the south coast of Cyprus. Sykes serves its clients through two geographic operating regions - the Americas and EMEA. In the Philippines, Sykes operates delivery centers in six locations. - PR
14 September 2017

TeleTech opens new location in Texas

TeleTech has recently opened a new customer engagement center in Temple, Texas, to further expand its proprietary end-to-end Humanifyâ,,¢
Customer Engagement as a Service offering. With the opening of the new location, TeleTech is now hiring healthcare-focused customer experience associates and licensed insurance agents, the company said in a statement. Martin DeGhetto, chief operating officer at TeleTech, said the company is looking for candidates who have empathy, compassion, and a strong work ethic to build the team in the local market. Founded in 1982, TeleTech has more than 48,000 employees in different contact centers and facilities around the world, including 18 delivery centers in the Philippines. - PR
14 September 2017

TCS in Fortune's Top 50 world-changing companies

Global IT services and outsourcing firm TCS has been named one of Fortune's Top 50 companies that are changing the world. The Change the World list recognizes companies that have had a positive social impact through activities that are part of their core business strategy. It prioritizes firms with annual revenues of USD1bn or more and TCS ranked 30th among many of the world's most notable brands. The recognition, according to TCS EVP and CTO K Ananth Krishnan, exemplifies the company's commitment to excellence and service to society. Fortune cited TCS's innovative digital solutions that are helping to make a positive impact for marginalized communities. - PR
14 September 2017

ICT Council eyed in Tuguegarao City

To tap into the growth potential of the IT-BPM industry, the City of Tuguegarao in Cagayan is looking at the establishment of its own Information Communications Technology (ICT) Council. The city government is working with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Information and Communications Technology to conduct seminars as a prerequisite for the creation of the council. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines identified the presence of a domestic airport and Tuguegarao's reputation as center of commerce and education in Cagayan Valley as among the strengths that will attract potential locators and investors. However, stakeholders said Tuguegarao needs to address the issue on limited telco providers, unreliable power supply, and a mismatch of curriculum with the ICT requirements. - PR
14 September 2017

CGS, Inkling team up for digital learning experiences

New York-headquartered outsourcing firm CGS has partnered with Inkling, an American digital technology firm, to provide high-tech learning and development services to large companies. In a statement, California-based Inkling said the partnership will provide solutions that help firms empower employees, standardize operations, and increase productivity. CGS will deliver certified content production, design, and project management services to meet the evolving needs of customers, said Matt MacInnis, founder and CEO of Inkling. CGS president and CEO Phil Friedman said the partnership will enable organizations worldwide to benefit from the two companies' combined innovative learning delivery solutions. - PR
15 September 2017

Lenovo seeks to crack growing local market

Lenovo has recently launched its new data center solutions in the Philippines as part of its efforts to establish itself in the country's fast-growing business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. Abraham Lim, Data Center Group country manager at Lenovo Philippines, said the company is looking into the BPO market, which he said is really growing in the Philippines. Lenovo, he added, has already established its name in the telecommunication, banking, and health sectors. The data center solutions will pave the way for Lenovo to further engage in different industries in the Philippines, Lim added. Lenovo sees massive growth opportunities for the data center market in the Philippines, especially in this digital age and with the continuous growth of the BPO industry. - PR
15 September 2017

Negros needs steady power supply to fuel services sector's growth

To further develop Negros Occidental's service sector, the province needs additional power facilities and a reliable power supply, according to the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI). Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental, currently hosts BPO and KPO firms that employ more than 30,000 people. MBCCI CEO Frank Carbon said it will be hard for the province to entice and attract more investors if it does not have reliable power. However, Carbon acknowledged that additional power facilities and reliable power supply also requires a lot of investment. Currently, Negros Occidental gets 70% of its power supply from Cebu, Leyte, and Panay Island. - PR
16 September 2017

Access Healthcare to discuss revenue cycle best practices

Access Healthcare chief commercial officer Scott Schrader is set to tackle revenue cycle best practices in a panel discussion at the Becker's Hospital Review 3rd Annual Health IT + Revenue Cycle Conference. Schrader said in advance that the role of revenue cycle management has constantly evolved over the year and that revenue focus has shifted from reducing the costs to collect, to an enabler of high-quality care delivery and exceptional patient experiences. The conference is expected to gather some of the best minds in the healthcare industry. Access Healthcare provides BPO and application services to healthcare providers, payers, and related service providers. It operates delivery centers in the US, India, and the Philippines. - PR
17 September 2017

Sweden exploring investment potential of Iloilo City

Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Harold Fries said his government is looking into potential investment opportunities in the city and province of Iloilo. Although he did not specifically stated the industries that Swedish investors might be interested in, Fries said Iloilo's business process outsourcing (BPO) sector is a strong contender. A Swedish BPO company, Transcom, is already operating in the city, employing hundreds of local employees. In a short talk with Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III and Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr, Fries said Swedish investors may also be interested in Iloilo's infrastructure. Fries, who last visited Iloilo 25 years ago, said the city and the province have undergone enormous and impressive changes. - PR
12 September 2017

BPO operators approve South Road Call Center City plan

Business process outsourcing (BPO) operators in Cebu City are supportive of the city's plan to build a Call Center City at the South Road Properties development. BPO operators said that the concept, once implemented, will attract more foreign outsourcing locators to the city. The positive remarks of the BPO operators were made after their meeting with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña. According to the mayor, he met with BPO operators to gather their input for the proposed Call Center City. The mayor told reporters that the concept generated up to 90% acceptance from BPO operators and call center agents. The Call Center City plan was Osmeña's proposed solution to the falling rankings of the city in the latest Tholon's list of global outsourcing cities. - PR
12 September 2017

Direct Sourcing Solutions moves its HQ to One West building in Clark

Direct Sourcing Solutions’ (DSS) move to the prestigious One West Aeropark Building within Clark’s Global Gateway Logistics City makes it the first company to open its headquarters in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified Grade A office building. The relocation is the result of the global outsourcing company’s sustained month-on-month growth, which has seen its workforce increase consistently at over 10% per month.
The outsourcing innovators’ new space on the 8th floor of the state-of-the-art office tower will not only support the company’s ambitious expansion plan to grow to a 1,000 headcount by 2020, but also will help it provide a conducive work environment where employees will feel more engaged, empowered and fulfilled. The DSS Philippines head office, which features fully-equipped Google-style workstations, reflects the company’s employee-centric culture and dedication to excellent service delivery for its clients.

Despite fears, BPO receipts, remittances grow - central bank

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines, said remittances from overseas Filipino workers and receipts from business process outsourcing (BPO) firms continue to grow in July. Although he did not release figures for the BPO receipts, BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the amount has gone up from January to July of this year. Remittances, BPO and tourism receipts are the major source of foreign exchange for the Philippines. In the first seven months of the year, remittances grew 5.9% to USD17.92bn. Guinigundo said remittances and BPO receipts have been resilient all these years. Industry analysts said BPO revenues will overtake remittances in the next few years. - PR
15 September 2017

Iloilo city mayor Mabilog to face trial for graft
18 September 2017

Press Release - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has found probable cause to charge Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) member Plaridel Nava II for one count of violation of Section 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019). Mabilog and Nava will face trial before the Sandiganbayan for the towing deal entered into with 3L Towing Services in 2015.

In its Resolution, the Ombudsman found that on 08 April 2014, the SP approved a regulation ordinance incorporating the use of a wheel towing clamp as part of its towing ordinance. On 17 February 2015, the SP approved a resolution authorizing Mabilog to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the local government and 3L Towing Services for the implementation of the city’s clamping ordinance. Under the MOA, 70% of the fines collected would be given to the towing company while the remaining 30% would be the LGU’s share.

Two weeks later, or on 27 February 2015, Mabilog wrote an urgent letter to the SP informing the body of the suspension of the MOA due to “some technical issues.”  On 19 May 2015, 3L proprietor Leny Garcia wrote Mabilog and offered to withdraw from the MOA “amidst the legal issues confronting it and submit to legal processes prescribed by laws on government bidding and procurement.”

Nava, the chairman of the committee on transportation, accused Mabilog of actually owning 3L and claimed that the mayor had a direct financial interest in the MOA.  To quote Nava, “Mabilog allegedly employed his services to perpetuate and consummate his illegitimate, immoral, dishonest and underground acts and transactions with private groups and corporate personalities doing or intending to do business in the city of Iloilo by using his power and influence as the chief executive of the city government.”

Nava narrated that Mabilog instructed him to look for someone they could trust to stand as a dummy owner and to estimate the cost and expenditures for the proposed business venture on clamping services. According to the complaint, Nava regularly reported to Mabilog about the status of the business venture and that on 16 June 2014, Mabilog handed him P500,000.00 in cash as part of his capital contribution to the business.  The mayor also reportedly expedited the release of the business and mayor’s permits of the towing company.

In his counter-charge, Mabilog claimed that “it is Nava who has pecuniary interest in 3L because it was the latter who told him about it and its intention of bidding for the towing project even defending the qualifications of 3L.”

In its Resolution, the Ombudsman stated that “while Mabilog and Nava pointed to each other as the true owner of 3L and thus have financial or pecuniary interest in the MOA for towing and clamping, one thing is clear from their accusations and counter-accusationsâ€"both colluded to create 3L, to get Garcia to act as its dummy owner, to have the business registered with the DTI and BIR, to secure its business and mayor’s permits, and to have it awarded the MOA with the city government without going through a competitive process.”

“On the part of Nava, as revealed by Mabilog, the former’s intervention was made manifest when he sponsored the wheel clamping ordinance as a supplement to the towing ordinance. Nava also sponsored the amendments to the towing ordinance allowing a private party to enter into a MOA with the city government for a term of five years without mentioning as to how the entity should be chosen.  As admitted by Nava himself, it was done so with 3L in mind,” the Resolution added.

According to Ombudsman Morales, “simply put, there was a meeting of the minds between them to do an illegal act and thus they must both suffer its consequences.”

Under Section 3(h) of R.A. No. 3019, public officials are prohibited from directly or indirectly having financing or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity, or in which he is prohibited by the constitution or by any law from having any interest.

Peace Corps and IBM Join Forces to Promote Disaster Preparedness

Manila, September 21, 2017 â€" Ambassador Sung Kim recently administered a swearing-in of three new -in three Peace Corps Response Volunteers (PCRVs) at the Peace Corps Office in Manila.

These PCRVs are experts on information communication technology and are now beginning a five-month assignment with local partner institutions including the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs).

This group is part of an innovative public-private partnership between the U.S. Peace Corps and IBM in which participants from the IBM Corporate Service Corps (IBM-CSC) and PCRVs collaborate with Philippine partners on high-impact projects in the areas of disaster risk reduction and management.  The PCRVs and IBM-CSC participants will provide technical support to improve the fast and accurate dissemination of information concerning disaster preparation and response.  Along with the efforts to enhance information systems, they will also conduct staff capacity development activities with PAGASA and PhiVolcs.

This is the second Peace Corps and IBM partnership in the Philippines.  The first was successfully completed in cooperation with the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna, an international research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger, improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations through rice science.

Press Release
30-YEAR MARTIAL LAW HANGOVER:
MANY 1987 CONSTITUTION MANDATES ON ENABLING LAWS UNFULFILLED

The 1987 Constitution was largely a reaction by its Framers, the Constitutional Commission, to Martial Law and the Marcos era. Thirty years after the charter was ratified, Congress has yet to produce several crucial enabling laws the Constitution mandated.

Ineffective interface between citizens and civil society with their elected representatives is a factor. Some groups could also be preoccupied with their own concerns that they are unable to see the bigger picture.

Voter education and even basic education have simply failed in citizenship education. The basic ills of the economy remain unaddressed.

The lack of necessary enabling laws and responses to “as may be provided by law” provisions is too pronounced to be dismissed as isolated matters.

I am hopeful and optimistic that this 17th Congress, with its current leadership, we can fast track the enactment of these important measure. The President had in fact already issued an executive order on the Freedom of Information (E.O. no. 2, s. 2016). That was a good sign.

Here are some key unfulfilled mandates:

Freedom of Information (Article III, Section 7)

The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.

Presidential Succession (Article VII, Section 8, second paragraph)

In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become the President to serve the unexpired term. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of both the President and Vice-President, the President of the Senate or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall then act as President until the President or Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified.

The Congress shall, by law, provide who shall serve as President in case of death, permanent disability, or resignation of the Acting President. He shall serve until the President or the Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified, and be subject to the same restrictions of powers and disqualifications as the Acting President.

Forest Limits Law (Article XII, Section 4)

The Congress shall, as soon as possible, determine by law the specific limits of forest lands and national parks, marking clearly their boundaries on the ground. Thereafter, such forest lands and national parks shall be conserved and may not be increased nor diminished, except by law.

Law Prohibiting Political Dynasties (Article II, Section 26)

The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.

Lawmaking is not just the work of Congress. It is a mandate to the entire nation. After the elections, citizens must keep pushing, must tell their public servants what laws are needed, how laws must be implemented, and that courts must be fair and impartial.

I am but one voice, one representative among many. I am positive, though, that with the influx of political neophytes who bring in fresh perspectives and new solutions this 17th congress, we will finally end the 30-year Martial Law hangover and enact the needed enabling laws in the current session. (END).

Press Release - strengthens Luzon coffee industry. Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to bridge various gaps in the supply chain to make the local coffee industry more competitive, the Department of Trade and Industry recently gathered coffee farmers, processors, manufacturers, Regional Council Chairs, national government agencies, and members of the academe from the Island of Luzon for the Luzon Island Coffee Cluster Assembly. The assembly aimed to present the national and localized version roadmap of each region, establish an institutional mechanism of roadmap localization and implementation, and learn about coffee quality standards and market opportunities. National Coffee Coordinator and DTI Cordillera Administrative Region Regional Director Myrna Pablo explained the current situation of the industry, especially the gap between demand and production. “The Philippine coffee production is far from serving coffee consumption of the country. Currently, 90 percent of the demand is imported for about Php 12 billion. The demand is still increasing with expanding consumption based among younger generation and night shift workers. Likewise, coffee shops are increasing, and specialty coffee market is expanding,” Pablo said, adding that while coffee production is almost all over the country, the country’s production is very far from sufficiency.

Press Release - Fraternities and sisterhoods at the grassroots levels of barangays and neighborhoods are also covered by the Anti-Hazing Bill.

The definition of hazing in my House Bill 3467 focuses on the acts committed against the victim. It does not matter where the hazing is committed, as long as it is within the country and any place where Philippine laws apply.

In HB 3467 states that organizations covered include, but are not limited to, fraternities, sororities, and clubs. The schools mentioned in HB 3467 include any school in the country.

HB 3467 is pending in the House Committee on Justice where HB 2560, HB 3731, and HB 3963 also are and will be consolidated into one bill.

TV news and viral videos of street gangs have been recent cause for serious concern aside from the fraternities involving college students.

HB 3963 tasks local government officials, especially the barangays to be vigilant vis-a-vis fraternities and gangs in their areas of jurisdiction. HB 3963 has three sections (Sections 8, 9, and 10) which are about the registration and monitoring of comunity-based fraternities.

Out-of-school youth and students in junior high school and senior high school are especially prone to invites from frats and gangs.

Barangay and school principals must work together and apply their child protection policies effectively and pro-actively. They must be on the alert against frats and gangs that get involved in illegal drugs or resort to hold-ups of taxis and jeepneys as initiation rites for neophytes.

Neighborhood frats and gangs can also be used by organized crime engaged in human trafficking, illegal drugs, and prostitution of children and teenagers.

Crime syndicates are well aware of the minimum age of criminal responsibility stated in the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. The link between neighborhood frats and gangs and juvenile crime is a clear and present danger to our communities.

Effective implementation of the consolidated Anti-Hazing measure in the House when it becomes a law will be another way for government to reduce crime in our, schools, streets and near our homes.

Press Release - Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to bridge various gaps in the supply chain to make the local coffee industry more competitive, the Department of Trade and Industry recently gathered coffee farmers, processors, manufacturers, Regional Council Chairs, national government agencies, and members of the academe from the Island of Luzon for the Luzon Island Coffee Cluster Assembly.

The assembly aimed to present the national and localized version roadmap of each region, establish an institutional mechanism of roadmap localization and implementation, and learn about coffee quality standards and market opportunities.

National Coffee Coordinator and DTI Cordillera Administrative Region Regional Director Myrna Pablo explained the current situation of the industry, especially the gap between demand and production.

“The Philippine coffee production is far from serving coffee consumption of the country. Currently, 90% of the demand is imported for about Php 12 billion. The demand is still increasing with expanding consumption based among younger generation and night shift workers.   Likewise, coffee shops are increasing, and specialty coffee market is expanding,” Pablo said, adding that while coffee production is almost all over the country, the country’s production is very far from sufficiency.

In March, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol signed the Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap 2017-2022 to bridge the gap between the steady high demand for coffee and the slow decline in production, and to provide aid to coffee farmers.

Pablo said that the Coffee Roadmap is focused on optimizing income for Filipino farmers and the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the industry.

The activity also discussed the Philippine Coffee Market vs. World Market Behaviors, Consumer Demand Innovation, Coffee Science Researches, Coffee Development Programs of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Science and Technology, and the High Value Crops Development Program of the Department of Agriculture.

Coffee is among the priority industry clusters that DTI is targeting to develop in the next five years, given its high potential to accelerate the region’s economic growth. While the sector has so much to offer, development remains slow.

In 2016, DTI has assisted 2,695 coffee MSMEs while providing 19,232 jobs to Filipinos.

The Philippines envisions a coffee industry that is cost-competitive, aligned with global quality standards, reliable and environment-friendly, and provides sustainable benefits to farmers, processors, traders, and exporters.

Some of the proposed strategies to achieve the target are to improve quality and availability of planting material, enhance farm efficiency and investments, and improve competitiveness, market price, and coffee standards.

Press Release - DTI Northern Mindanao cautions public against refilling used butane canisters with LPG

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Northern Mindanao cautioned the public against refilling butane canisters with liquefied petroleum gas or LPG.

The warning was issued amid the supposed proliferation of LPG being contained in canisters or cartridges being sold in the local market and even in sari-sari stores. These LPG-refilled canisters are usually bought by consumers for household use.

LPG, chemically, is a mixture of two flammable gases â€" 60% propane and 40% butane. Since this poses imminent danger to life and property, LPG must be securely contained and safely stored.

“I am urging the consuming public and LPG users to refrain from utilizing LPG-refilled canisters for household use and avoid risking your property and life to destruction.”, DTI â€" Lanao del Norte Provincial Director Ruel Paclipan warned.

In accordance with the Philippine National Standard (PNS) 03-1:2000, only welded steel cylinders with a water capacity of one liter to 150 liters are permitted for storage and transport of liquefied petroleum gas.

Steel cylinders, aside from being sturdier, have pressure relief valve. In contrast, canisters have lightweight and thinner metal body in which joints are just being soldered, and without pressure relief valve.

Pursuant to Department Circular No. 2014-01-0001 of the Department of Energy (DOE), no person shall engage in LPG industry activity without securing first a Standards Compliance Certificate or SCC.

The DOE Circular prohibits the sale of LPG on single-trip (non-refillable) containers and canisters which have been previously filled with butane. It also emphasized that selling of LPG in inappropriate containers is prohibited and constitutes illegal trading.

Refillers, marketers, dealers, and retailers found to have violated PNS 03-1:2000, DOE DC 2014-01- 0001, and RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines shall be administratively charged and a monetary fine shall be imposed up to three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00). As stipulated in the said Department Circular, engaging in LPG industry activity without a valid SCC shall be penalized with a fine of P60,000.00.

Press Release - As part of the continued cooperation between the Philippines (PH) and Japan (JP), Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez met his Japanese counterpart, Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko in a bilateral meeting held on 9 September 2017 at the sidelines of the Philippine hosting of the 49th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings in Pasay City.

The meeting commenced with a turnover of “Japan’s Inputs Towards the Formulation of Industry Vision of the Philippines,” an industrial development scenario for PH under the Philippines-Japan Industrial Cooperation Dialogue, which will contribute to the finalization of PH’s inclusive, innovation-led, industrial strategy (i3s).

“This will help the Philippines fine-tune its inclusive and innovation-led industry strategy, as well as contribute to the realization of the government’s vision of no one left poor,” said Sec. Lopez.

Industry cooperation initiatives will enable PH to take advantage of JP’s expertise and experience as PH adopts these in the local industry setting. Further improvements to PH’s i3s will help upgrade local industries, allow them to better participate in global value chains, and create more, better, and higher value jobs for Filipinos.

PH also expressed its support to JP’s proposal on the introduction of rules in e-commerce and internet protocol (IP).

Substantive discussions were also held on improving market access for top PH exports through the General Review of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) during the scheduled 6thJoint Committee Meeting this September, as well as on exerting utmost efforts to achieve substantial outcomes for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship this year.

Minister Seko raised the potential effects of public enterprises under RCEP to small and medium enterprises. Sec. Lopez said that these issues must be monitored to ensure that industries are protected.

PH thanked JP for its willingness to meet for the PJEPA Joint Committee Meeting, which has prime importance to move forward with the discussions on tariff preferences, particularly for products of interest to PH such as bananas, mangoes, and pineapples.

PH also conveyed its intention to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). As an update to the status of TPP, JP shared that two negotiating rounds have been concluded between JP and Australia and both are scheduled to meet for the third time. JP is confident that the agreement in principle will be established by November.

Trade deals are expected to further boost economic and trade relations with JP, which was PH’s 2nd biggest trading partner, top export market, and 2nd largest import supplier in 2016. In particular, these trade engagements benefit exporters of top agricultural products to JP, most of which are from the Mindanao region.

Top export products from Mindanao include fruits, bananas, tuna, coconut products, fresh pineapples that comprised 60.5% of total PH exports to the world in 2016. These, together with other products included in the PH’s request for better market access to JP will further enhance competitiveness of PH exports in the Japanese market.

DOE Rushing to Normalize Luzon Power Grid

Press Release - (Taguig City)--The Department of Energy (DOE) on Friday (22 September) said it is accelerating efforts to restore lost power capacities as major power plants went on planned and forced outages. This placed the Luzon Grid on Yellow Alert status.

The lost power capacities due to the plant outages reached 1,364 megawatts (MW) following the planned outages of Pagbilao Unit 2 (382MW), San Lorenzo Unit 1 (250MW), Limay B6 (70MW); and the forced outage of the GNPower Unit 1 (302MW) and the unavailability of both Kalayaan Units 3 and 4 (360MW).

“Our priority now is to quickly restore power supply in the Luzon grid following the Yellow Alert status of the NGCP from 11AM to 4PM,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

The DOE assured consumers that the power market is still normal despite the reduction of supply.

As of 1PM today, the power supply capacity in Luzon stood at 10,091MW with a projected demand of 9,469MW. The reserve level is at 622MW.

For Saturday and Sunday (23 and 24 September), there will be another set of planned reduction of supply due to the gas restriction from the Malampaya. The power situation may not be affected because there is an anticipated reduction on the demand for electricity. Nevertheless, the power situation is still being closely monitored by the DOE and the energy stakeholders.

“We are in close coordination with our energy stakeholders to normalize the power situation in the Luzon grid. We also appeal to our dear consumers to use energy wisely and assist in stabilizing energy situation,” Cusi concluded.

Press Statement

De La Salle University law professor and Assistant Majority Leader Ron P. Salo condemns the senseless death of 22-year- old UST law student Horacio Castillo, III over apparent fraternity hazing.

Salo supports the move by the Justice Department to have the case investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation. Salo said NBI should swiftly build a tight case against the perpetrators and suggests that Bureau of Immigration issue hold departure orders against the suspects to prevent them from evading trial. The DOJ must assure the public that no “whitewash” will happen.

Salo also calls on the illustrious alumni of the Aegis Juris Law Fraternity to convince current frat leaders to surface and submit themselves voluntarily to authorities in order to shed light on what really happened during that “welcoming party.”

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Rep. Herrera-Dy asks PSA, UP Population Institute to have scientific data on LGBTs

As one of the principal authors of the proposed Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Equality Act or House Bill 4982, I strongly urge the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) to develop a plan to count and survey the LGBT population segment of the country.

The census, surveys, and studies of the PSA and UPPI shall serve as quantitative and qualitative bases for government to design, approve, and implement programs for the LGBT.

Counting the LGBT is necessary so that the DBM can determine how much to budget for LGBT programs and projects. The NEDA needs the LGBT census for long-range development plans and big-ticket projects. The DSWD and DOH also need the LGBT count for its social welfare and reproductive health programs.

Gayunman, kailangang matutukan ang implementasyon ng census. Walang sinumang pipiliting magpatala. Walang sinumang pipiliting magladlad. Hindi rin ibubunyag o isasapubliko ang listahan ng mga pangalan ng mga LGBT. Secret ang mga pangalan. Bibilangin lang. Magiging gaya lamang ito ng census na isinasagawa na ng PSA para malaman kung ilan ang solo-parent, babae, lalaki, at bata sa bawat household.

When the SOGIE Bill becomes lawâ€"in a matter of weeks or a few monthsâ€"it will then be the opportune time for the census, surveys, and studies to be done. It will soon be time for every LGBT in the country to be counted.

I will consult different LGBT groups regarding this proposal. I am very much open to suggestions from all sectors especially from our friends and allies in the LGBT community.

As I had pointed out before, the national and local governments already set aside five percent of their funds for Gender And Development (GAD) programs and projects. The GAD budget is the baseline.

I am from Quezon City, which has been leading the way in recognizing, affirming, and promoting the rights of the LGBT.

Quezon City has City Ordinance 2357-2014, otherwise known as The Quezon City Gender-Fair Ordinance. The QC government also has the Quezon City Transgender Employees and Gay Association (QC TEGA). QC is one of at least 24 localities which have ordinances on anti-discrimination of the LGBT. http://pages.upd.edu.ph/ejmanalastas/policies-ordinances.

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Press Release - Hinimok ng isang mambabatas ang Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) at ang University of the Philippines Population Institute na magsagawa ng census para magkaroon ng datos ang pamahalaan kung ilan ang lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) sa bansa.

Panukala ni House Public Information Chair at Bagong Henerasyon Congresswoman Bernadette Herrera-Dy, “Kailangan ng census para magkaroon ng siyentipikong batayan (quantitative at qualitative na basehan) ang pamahalaan sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa at proyekto para maitaguyod ang karapatan ng mga Pilipinong LGBT.”

Sabi pa ni Herrrera, “Magsisilbing gabay ang census para malaman ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) kung magkanong pondo ang ilalaan para sa LGBT programs. Kailangan din ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) ng datos para sa pagpaplano ng mga long-range development plans and big-ticket projects. Kailangan din ito ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at Department of Health (DOH) para sa mga social welfare and reproductive health programs nila.”

Si Herrera-Dy ay isa sa mga may-akda ng Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Equality Act or House Bill 4982, ang panukalang layong gawing ilegal ang anumang uri ng diskriminasyon batay sa kasarian at sekswal na oryentasyon.

Nilinaw naman ni Herrera-Dy na ang census ay hindi magiging uri ng “profiling” laban sa LGBT.

“Kailangang matutukan ang implementasyon ng census. Walang sinumang pipiliting magpatala. Walang sinumang pipiliting magladlad. Hindi rin ibubunyag o isasapubliko ang listahan ng mga pangalan ng mga LGBT. Secret ang mga pangalan. Bibilangin lang. Magiging gaya lamang ito ng census na isinasagawa na ng PSA para malaman kung ilan ang solo-parent, babae, lalaki, at bata sa bawat household,” muling paglilinaw ni Herrera-Dy.

Kokonsultahin ni Herrera-Dy ang iba’t ibang LGBT groups hinggil sa panukalang ito. Bukas siya sa mga suhestiyon na manggagaling sa iba’t ibang sektor lalo pa sa mga kasapi ng LGBT community.

Noong nakaraang linggo, lumusot sa 2nd reading sa House of Representatives ang SOGIE Equality bill. Nakatakda itong talakayin muli sa House of Representatives anumang araw para sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa sa Kamara.

Ilan pa sa mga solon na pangunahing sumusuporta sa bill ay sina Rep. Sol Aragones, Rep. Kaka J. Bag-ao, Rep. Emmeline Y. Aglipay-Villar, at Rep. Geraldine B. Roman.

Nanawagan si Herrera-Dy ng patuloy na suporta ng publiko pabor sa SOGIE Equality bill dahil pending pa ito sa Senado at dadaan pa ito sa 3rd reading sa Kamara. “Maaring ipabatid ng taumbayan sa mga senador at kongresista ang kanilang pagsuporta sa pamamagitan ng social media at pagdalo sa mga public forum hinggil sa panukala,” hiling ni Herrera-Dy sa publiko.

Ang SOGIE Equality bill ay unang inihain sa Kongreso 18 taon na ang nakararaan ng noo’y AKBAYAN Party-list Rep. Loretta Ann Rosales. (WAKAS)

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(Makati City). Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi Tuesday said that the Philippine government is doing everything it can to empower Filipino consumers access renewable energy sources through the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP).

Cusi issued the statement in support of the public consultation held by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) on the draft guidelines on the implementation of GEOP held on 19 September 2017 at the University of Makati Mini Theater.

GEOP is being pushed by the DOE and NREB with support from USAID B-LEADERS.

The GEOP is a mechanism which provides end-users the option to choose renewable energy (RE) resources in meeting their energy requirements through respective distribution utilities.

The GEOP is provided under Republic Act 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, and is in line with the DOE’s “E-Power Mo” campaign to educate consumers of various options on intelligent and efficient utilization of energy resources.

“The GEOP draft guidelines went through an extensive review by the NREB’s Green Energy Option Rules Committee and was subjected to inputs from stakeholders of the Philippine electric power industry,” said Cusi.

“By conducting public consultations, we make sure that inputs from all participants of the energy sector, especially the consumers, are thoroughly noted so we can come up with a more comprehensive and sound policy,” Cusi added.


The event served as the culminating consultation in a series of GEOP public consultations following the Visayas leg in Bacolod City and the Mindanao leg in Davao City held last September 4 and 12, respectively.

The consultations brought together RE stakeholders, distribution utilities, electric cooperatives and end users to raise their concerns and suggestions on the GEOP.

The participants' comments and suggestions were mostly on the implementation details, including contracting timeline under the GEOP, sourcing of RE suppliers, incentives for RE developers under the RE law and cost component transparency towards consumers.

The GEOP forum was led by NREB Chair Atty. Jose Layug, Jr. as keynote speaker together with OIC for Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) Director Mylene Capongcol and GEOP Committee Chairman Ernesto B. Pantangco.

About 200 participants from NREB, government agencies, distribution utilities and renewable energy stakeholders attended the Luzon leg. (press release)

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Cojuangco, Jr. vs. Rep., G.R. NO. 180705, Nov. 27,2012 686 SCRA 472

In this case, while it incorporated the PCA-Cojuangco AG.R.eement by reference, Section 1 of P.D. 755 did not in any way reproduce the exact terms of the contract in the decree. Neither was acopy thereof attached to the decree when published. We cannot, therefore, extend to the said Agreement the status of a law.

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Rep. vs. Extelcom, G.R. NO. 147096, Jan. 15, 2002 373 SCRA 316

Thus, publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation is a condition sine qua non before statutes, rules or regulations can take effect. There is nothing in the Administrative Code of 1987 which implies that the filing of the rules with the UP Law Center is the operative act that gives the rules force and effect.

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PASEI vs. Torres, G.R. NO. 101279,Aug. 06, 1992 212 SCRA 298

Although the questioned circulars are a valid exercise of the police power as delegated to the executive branch of Government, they are legally invalid, defective and unenforceable for lack of proper publication and filing in the Office of the National Administrative Register as required in Article 2 of Civil Code

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*[[Psa 91:1]] KJ2000* He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

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Basa vs Mercado, 61 Phil 632

To be a newspaper of general circulation, it is enough that it is published for the dissemination of local news and general information, that it has bona fide subscription list of paying subscribers, and that it is published at regular intervals.

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Tanada vs Tuvera,146 SCRA 446 (1986)

If the law provides for its own effectivity date, then it takes effect on the said date, subject to the requirement of publication. The clause “unless otherwise provided” refers to the date of effectivity and not the to the requirement of publication itself, which cannot in any event be omitted.

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Tanada vs Tuvera, 136 SCRA 27 (1985)

Article 2 of the NCC does not preclude the requirement of publication in the Official Gazette even if the law itself provides for the date of its
effectivity.

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AEGIS JURIS ALUMNI, DAPAT KUSANG ISUKO ANG MGA BROD â€" SOLON

Nanawagan si Assistant Majority Leader at Kabayan Party-list Congressman Ron Salo sa mga nakatatandang alumni ng Aegis Juris Law Fraternity na dapat makumbinsi nila ang kasalukuyang pamunuan ng frat na lumutang na para magbigay linaw sa kaso ng pagkamatay ng kanilang aplikante.

Sabi ni Salo, “maaaring mga alumni mismo ng Aegis Juris ang magsuko sa kanilang mga brod sa autoridad para matulungan ang mga imbestigador at para na rin maproteksyunan ang karapatan ng mga suspek sa due process.”

Ikinokondena ni Salo ang pagkamatay ng 22-anyos na UST law student na si Horacio “Atio” Castillo, III dahil sa hinihinalang hazing na bahagi umano ng initiation rites ng Aegis Juris, ang frat na inaaplayan ni Castillo.

Pabor si Salo, na isa ring law professor sa De La Salle University, sa pagpasok ng National Bureau of Investigation sa kaso. Nanawagan si Salo na dapat bilisan ang imbestigasyon at dapat makapaglabas na sila ng findings sa lalong madaling panahon para matukoy na ang listahan ng mga suspek. Suhestiyon din ni Salo na dapat maglabas ang Department of Justice ng hold departure orders kapag may kaso na laban sa mga suspek para di sila maka-iwas sa paglilitis.

Ikinabahala din si Salo na mga estudyante ang itinuturong suspek sa krimen. “Bilang propesor ng batas, dismayado ako sa muling pagsulpot ng mga ganitong karahasan na sangkot ang mga estudyante. Mga law student pa naman ang sinasabing gumawa nito kay Horacio, mga future lawyers, na dapat sana’y sila ang pinaka-gumagalang sa batas.”

“Bilang Assistant Majority Leader, gagawa ako ng paraan sa mayorya para mapabilis ang aksyon sa apat (4) na panukalang batas hinggil sa anti-hazing na nakasalang ngayon sa House Committees on Higher and Technical Education, Revision of Laws, at Justice,” sabi ni Salo.

“Partikular kong kinikilingan ang agarang pagpasa ng Revised Anti-Hazing Law (House Bill 3467) na naglalalayong gawing ilegal ang lahat at anumang uri ng hazing na nagdudulot ng pisikal at sikolohikal na torture sa biktima,” sabi ni Salo, na kasapi rin ng Justice Committee.

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Air21 Stores Inc Ayala Center Cebu
032-233-3296
SM City Cebu - 032-233-3298
Gaisano Fiesta Mall Talisay City - 032-272-3120

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Damaged Power Infra by Maring and Lannie Almost Fully Operational â€"DOE

(Taguig City). Power infrastructure and facilities in areas affected by typhoons Maring and Lannie will all be back in operation soon, with power already restored in 456 or 57 percent of the affected barangays as of Friday, according to the reports submitted to the Department of Energy (DOE).

Generally, the generation, transmission, the Manila Electric Co. and other affected electric cooperatives franchise areas are already 100 percent operational.

For Quezon Province, electricity was fully restored Thursday night in the town proper of the Municipality of Perez in Alabat Island as it assured the public that total power restoration will be achieved at the soonest possible time with repairmen working round the clock.

According to the National Electrification Administration (NEA), power in 456 out of 804 barangays in Quezon has been restored Thursday afternoon. The 456 barangays account for 104,093 households which is equivalent to 60.16 percent of the entire household serviced by the distribution utility.

NEA is targeting 100 percent restoration of power by September 20 following the detailed assessment and inspection of the typhoon-affected facilities.

DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi emphasized, “We need to ensure that the infrastructures, wirings and meters in the typhoon hit areas are safe before energizing them. We want to protect the people from any harm, including those who are conducting the restoration activities.”

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(Taguig City). More women should be involved in the energy sector for gender balance and thus make it more responsive to the requirements of nation-building.

This was emphasized by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi as the Department of Energy (DOE) ramped up its program to introduce students to possible careers in the energy sector.

“We encourage women to venture in the energy sector as they can also be great engineers and designers of infrastructure projects and energy devices, thus making the energy sector more gender-responsive.”

The Energy Chief said the goal of the DOE is to motivate students especially women to take up engineering or science programs in college.

“This will support our advocacy towards spreading the gender equality policy and non-discrimination of women in the energy industry involving the long energy value chain from exploration and development, midstream sectors related to generation, transmission and distribution up to utilization,” Cusi said.

"As encapsulated in our E-Power Mo campaign, we value the roles of our youth, regardless of their gender, in nation-building, particularly in the energy sector development.”

“Educating our students about energy would allow them to better appreciate energy issues, whether in their daily lives or in their future profession,” Cusi pointed out.

The DOE-Gender and Development (GAD) through the Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office (CWPO) recently commenced the second year of the series of the ENEReady program starting with 134 high school students in Pasig City.

According to DOE-CWPO, the ENEReady: Career Talks on Breaking Gender Stereotypes in the Energy Workforce Program is primarily anchored on the DOE-GAD goal of promoting a more gender-balanced employment in the energy sector as there has been no remarkable increase in the number of women taking up engineering courses and graduating in sciences program in the last five years.

A total of 134 Grades 10 and 11 students, including 36 students representing the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) all involved in sciences, attended the ENEReady career talk held last September 5 at the Pasig City Science High School (PCSHS), Maybunga, Pasig City.

The resource persons from the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau, Renewable Energy Management Bureau, and Energy Resource Development Bureau related their personal experiences in their presentations. Through interactive discussions, the speakers also explained the types of jobs and leadership roles that engineers and applied science graduates can undertake in the energy industry for career path or growth.

Also present during the Career Talk were PCSHS Assistant Principal Lowell H. de Ramon and Guidance teachers, and guests from the GSP National Headquarters, Jade Villanueva and Ma. Rosalina Flores.

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The New York Times has announced that by October its real estate section will feature listings directly syndicated from the Real Estate Board of New York, changing its existing paid model. The feed, known as the RLS, includes residential listings from the five boroughs. Other sites that syndicate the feed include Realtor.com and Homes.com. Zillow’s StreetEasy platform has said it will not use the RLS feed. “As the industry has gone to a free model, we've thought long and hard about how we can provide a better customer experience,” said Andy Wright, senior vice president of advertising for the Times, who pointed out that while the Times already has most of the listings in Manhattan, the feed could provide more comprehensive listings in other boroughs. â€" CURBED NY

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Bohol Light Company Linemen

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Philippine Banana

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Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines

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CoStar Group, a provider of real estate data, is buying ForRent.com for $350 million in cash and $35 million in stock. ForRent.com is a rental apartment listing business that receives approximately eight million online visits a month and lists around 17,000 apartment communities. CoStar purchased Apartments.com for $585 million and the new purchase allows them to augment their rental offerings. The Apartments.com network receives over 37 million visits a month and lists approximately one million apartments. Andrew Florance, CoStar's founder stated that the acquisition could increase CoStar’s rental revenue to $400 million a year. â€" FOX BUSINESS

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In Guindulman town, Bohol, Philippines

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DRUG TESTING SA MGA PAARALAN, ITIGIL MUNA; PRIVACY NG MGA RESULTA TIYAKIN DAPAT - REP. SALO

Nanawagan si Kabayan Party-list Congressman Ron Salo sa Department of Education at Commission on Higher Education na ihinto muna ang implementasyon ng drug testing sa mga eskwelahan habang wala pang tiyak na hakbang ang mga ahensya kung paano pangangangalaagan ang datos ng resulta ng drug testing.

Si Salo, Vice Chair of the Committee on Basic Education and Culture at Kasapi ng Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability sa House of Representatives, ay nagpahayag ng pangamba na baka maging target ng mga tiwaling pulis at mga drug lord ang mga kabataan, teacher, at non-teaching-personnel na magpopositibo sa drug tests.

“Kailangan ding makipag-uganayn ng DepEd at CHED sa Department of Health para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga magpopositibo,” bilin ni Salo.

Ginawa ang panawagan sa gitna ng mga pagpaslang sa mga kabataan sa ngalan ng war on drugs ng Philippine National Police. Isa sa mga menor-de-edad na biktima ay si Kian Loyd delos Santos, 17-anyos na Grade 11 student na pinatay ng mga tauhan ng Caloocan police sa isang drug raid matapos umanong “manlaban.” Isa pa ring biktima ay ang 19-anyos na si Carl Angelo Arnaiz na pinatay ng Caloocan police matapos daw makipagputukan sa mga pulis at ang 14-anyos na si Reynaldo de Guzman na natagpuang patay sa Nueva Ecija na tadtad ng saksak sa katawan at balot pa ng pakaging tape ang ulo.

Nilinaw naman ni Salo, na isa ring abogado, na suportado niya ang war on drugs ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at sinasang-ayunan niya ang legalidad ng drug testing na isinasagawa ng DepEd at CHED.

Inirekomenda ni Salo na makipagtulungan agad sa National Privacy Commission ang DepEd, CHED, at mga pribadong eskwelahan para matiyak na ang mga drug testing data ay maitatago nang wasto. (WAKAS)

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Manila, September 11, 2017 â€"The United States deployed the Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to Mindanao for additional surveillance in support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) counterterrorism efforts.

Compared to current surveillance platforms used in the region, the Gray Eagle has a longer flight duration which will enable a larger area of reconnaissance and surveillance.

Over the past three years the U.S. has provided the Philippines with assistance valued at over Php15 billion, to establish better command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for the AFP.  Recent deliveries include a Raven tactical UAS and two Cessna-208B surveillance aircraft, as well as various munitions and weapons to support urgent defense and counterterrorism needs.

The strong, long-standing military relationship with the Philippines enables the U.S. to respond quickly to the AFP’s needs and to support the AFP’s modernization goals.

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Balskie, kumusta diha imong family ug ikaw?

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Chatto gets PAL confirmation:
Davao, Clark flights to Bohol

The Philippine Airlines (PAL) has confirmed Gov. Edgar Chatto’s report that it will open Davao and Pampanga routes to Bohol beginning this November and December, respectively.

PAL Visayas Sales and Services area head Reyani Romano said starting November 1, PAL will fly four times a week from Tagbilaran to Davao, vice versa, using a newly-acquired 86-seater bi-class aircraft.

The national flag carrier will also be launching a daily flight---from Tagbilaran City to Clark, Pampanga, vice versa,---on December 16 using the Airbus A320, Romano said in a letter to the governor.

Chatto earlier the other Friday reported this much-awaited development while he was attending the Philippine Travel Mart in Pasay City.

He also talked there with the top executives of AirAsia, which, like the PAL, is strongly interested in making Bohol an international air travel hub.

Both the PAL and AirAsia have considered in their aggressive plans the scheduled Panglao Bohol airport opening by the second half of next year, Chatto said.

The PAL had, in fact, already opened Bohol to the world by its inaugural flight to Incheon, Korea last June. 

Boholanos in different parts of the country and abroad posted online, like on facebook, their elation over the additional domestic and international air routes.

They appreciated and thanked Chatto and his administration for the effort, although the governor has used to say that Bohol’s progress is a labor of all and a fruit of “shared leadership.”

According to Romano, the maiden PAL flight to Davao will leave the Tagbilaran City airport on November 1 at 1:30 in the afternoon and the inaugural flight to Clark on December 16 at 6:40 in the morning.

The much-anticipated web of Bohol’s connections by air once the new airport opens is projected to cause an unprecedented upsurge of economic activities and movements of goods and peoples.
This is supplemented by the improvement and development of seaports.

Chaired by Chatto, the Provincial Development Council (PDC) on Friday tackled varied major projects in anticipation of developments to come that will surely affect the vehicular traffic alone.

One of them is the required feasibility study for the fourth bridge linking mainland Bohol via Tagbilaran City to Panglao island via Dauis.

The governor hoped to start the implementation of the offshore bridge connector project, also known as the third Tagbilaran-Panglao bridge, next year.

Also, the PDC endorsed the proposed underpass and flyover to ease the traffic in front of the city hall; seaport, fuel depot, and water desalination in Dauis; and Dauis-Panglao streetlighting system leading to the new airport.

Meanwhile, First District Rep. Rene Relampagos is legislating in Congress the request of the municipal government of Dauis to rename the whole Panglao island into the Dauis-Panglao island.

This is to correct the “misappreciation and wrong impression” that Panglao island is all about a prime tourist island town called Panglao, he said.

Many tourists and guests, even including the repeat visitors, still incorrectly believe or must have not known until now that the island actually consists of two towns---Dauis and Panglao.

Off the island is a smaller island, also a tourist spot and a “diver’s Eden,” called Balicasag, which is a part of barangay Poblacion in Panglao town.
Urban planners have boldly projected the population of Dauis, which is nearest to Tagbilaran City, to hit the 100,000 mark just few years from now. (Ven rebo Arigo)

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Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado of Bohol’s 2nd District made this resolve when, on his island sorties on inspection trips on the progress of implementation of his infrastructure projects built with counter-parting funds, he noticed several children and pregnant women needing medical attention.

This led to the launching on Friday, Sept. 8, of the A.R.I.S. Health or the Active and Responsive Initiative for Sustainable Health.

The parents and elders told Aumentado that while they needed treatment, they could not afford the trip to the mainland to seek medical help.

This prompted Aumentado to mobilize the sea ambulance procured for the District by his namesake father and immediate congressional predecessor former Governor and Congressman Erico Boyles Aumentado.

After ascertaining that the vessel was seaworthy, the solon organized a trip for around 100 mostly children and their mothers from Malingin Island of Bien Unido town to the Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital (DEDVMH) in Ubay town.

Aumentado said bringing a team of doctors, medicines and equipment to the island would be personnel and labor intensive. This would also require off-duty staff to render overtime services because on duty staff need to man the hospital at all times.

The solon expressed apprehension that the staff who just came off duty and required to render services for the mission will be exhausted when it will be time for their hospital duty again. He said tired staff are prone to human errors that might endanger the lives of hospital patients.

The Malingin islanders rode the sea ambulance to the Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital (DEDVMH) for consultation and were given the prescribed medicines all free of charge.

Aumentado thanked Dr. Elle and his staff and Mayor Constantino Reyes for their coordination and mobilization of their respective staff for the successful mission and launching of A.R.I.S. Health.

The patients were ferried back to Malingin on board the sea ambulance. The two-way trips were also free of charge.

“This is the least I can do for my islander-constituents needing medical attention,” Aumentado said.

Residents in all the other islands and islets in the district will have their trips scheduled in time as part of his health advocacy, he explained.

The patients need not spend for the trip or the medicines. They just need to bring their lunch, he added.

As part of his advocacy and tapping government funds, he intends to equip the DEDVMH with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment so that patients will no longer be forced to go to Cebu City or to private hospitals in Tagbilaran City as this would mean additional expenses.

Additionally, he intends to establish a dialysis center in the hospital with at least five dialysis machines. This will be a major improvement over the current dialysis unit, he concluded.

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(Mandaue, Cebu). In a move to weed out illegal LPG refilling plants in the market, the Department of Energy-Visayas Field Office (DOE-VFO) together with the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) raided Friday night (8 Sept.) a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refilling station located in Mandaue, Cebu following a tip of irregularities in its operations.

Initially, the composite team of the DOE-VFO and PNP- CIDG confiscated the following equipment and items:  3 bullet tanks (2 of which with a 2-ton capacity and one 4-ton capacity); 40 50-kg cylinders; 1 250-kg tank; 4 canister refilling machines; 1 Sealing Machine; 68,000 empty canisters; 16,000 LPG-filled canisters which has an estimated value of P2.7M; 3 air compressors; 1 sealer machine; and a van being utilized for the alleged illegal operations.

This comes on the heels of the #EPowerMoVisayas on 7 September 2017 where Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi highlighted the commitment of the DOE to tighten consumer protection under the DOE's E-Safety Mo campaign against illegal peddling of petroleum products, including LPG-filled/refilled canisters.

The campaign targets the so-called “bote-bote” or reselling of liquid petroleum products using unauthorized containers.

The alleged owner of the illegal refilling station Douglas Labra, has been detained for further investigation and questioning.

The confiscated items will be sent to a storage facility in Naga owned by the Cebu Provincial Government while the investigation is ongoing.

The DOE is working in close coordination with the Provincial Government of Cebu following its ordinance to eliminate illegal activities in the downstream oil industry under its jurisdiction.

The DOE encourages consumers to report illegal activities concerning the energy sector, particularly in the oil and power sectors, and not to patronize illegal and unsafe practices.

Meanwhile, on the price monitoring function of the DOE on oil trading in the international market and its effects on the domestic prices of petroleum products (as mandated by the Oil Deregulation Law of 1998), the DOE observed that last week’s international oil trading may affect the domestic prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene as follows:

Gasoline may increase by around P0.40 per liter;

Diesel may increase by around P1.05 per liter; and,

Kerosene may increase by around P0.80 per liter.

Adjustments on petroleum products are implemented every Tuesday of the week. These findings may still be affected by the Friday trading activities which will be accessed on Monday.

The public may contact the DOE-Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office at 479-2900 loc. 329 or e-mail through the info@doe.gov.ph for consumer welfare concerns. The public may also reach the Department through the Official DOE Facebook (fb//doe.gov.ph) and Twitter pages (doe_ph)

Tudlo-an ang kabataan sa saktong paggamit sa Internet

Kinahangalng tudlo-an ang mga kabataan sa tukmang gawi sa paggamit sa internet, aron dili sila mabiktima sa physical molestation, harrassment ug pagkasugamak sa dili angayang mga panan-awon nga bukas sa internet.

Kini maoy pahimangno sa National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) pinaagi ni NAPOLCOM Assistant Regional Dir Jose R. Concepcion Jr, kinsa mianhi sa Bohol maoy nanguna sa paghandum sa National Crime Prevention Week dinhi sa rehiyon.

Kinahanglang makat-on ang kabataan ug bisan na ang mga hamtung nga dili mohatag sa mga kasayuran nga maka-ingon nga sayun ra silang hingtud-an, aghat sa NAPOLCOM.

Mga kasayuran sama sa pangalan, passwords, ngalan sa ginikanan, gipuy-an, tunghaan o numero sa telepono ilabi na sa chat o sa bulletin boards, maoy dangpon sa mga kriminal aron mamiktima, matud sa mga tinugyanan sa NAPOLCOM.

Gani, bisan sa mga hamtong, angay gihapon magmatngon ilabi na sa paghatag ning mga kasayuran sa email, ilabi na kon wala kay personal nga kasayuran kon kinsa ang imong gika-estorya, pahimangno sa mga tinugyanan.

Usab, matud sa NAPOLCOM, mas nindot kon hibaw-an sa mga ginikanan ang mga internet services nga gigamit sa mga bata aron dali nga kapugngan ang paggamit unya nila sa mga materyales nga dili angay sa ilang mga edad.

Ngadto sa mga tigbantay usab sa mga internet-stations, kinahanglang magmatngon nga walay mosaag og gamit sa mga sites nga nagbukas alang sa child pornography, aron dili mahaylo ang kabataan sa law-ay nga mga buhat nga mahimong sinugdanan sa krimen.

Sugyot usab sa NAPOLCOM ngadto sa mga ginikanan, ayaw ibutang ang mga family computers sa kwarto sa mga bata kay dili na hinoun sila mabantayan kon mangabli sa mga adult sites, o magpatakag butang sa mga hulagway nga maoy ampay sa mga pedophiles, ug mga sex maniacs.

Unta, himoon nga ang matag adlaw, adlaw sa crime prevention, panapos sa NAPOLCOM didto sa Kapihans a PIA pinaagi ni Atty. Luib Jr., sa miaging semana. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

The United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines Incorporate Drug Demand Reduction into Amended Letter of Agreement

Manila, September 8, 2017 â€" The United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines announced plans to begin drug demand reduction programs under the existing Letter of Agreement on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.  Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim signed an Amended Letter of Agreement, which commits more than PHP 102 million in additional funding from the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.  These funds will support Philippine initiatives to develop drug reduction programs focused on public health and community-based interventions.

The signing of this amendment marks a new step in the U.S.-Philippines partnership.  Under this agreement, the United States and the Philippines will collaborate on areas ranging from treatment and prevention to policy development to support a comprehensive public health program focused on reducing the demand for drugs.

The Philippines and the United States share concerns about the dangers posed by substance abuse disorder and this latest collaboration reflects a mutual interest in improving efforts to limit the effects of illicit drugs.

Learn more about the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and its Drug Demand Reduction programs globally at www.state.gov/j/inl.

Makalilisang nga Hurricane Harvey Moabotay sa Florida, USA

Ready for Hurricane Irma's Arrival

balskie, unsay location nimo diha sa Florida exactly? wala ka bay plano nga mo-evacuate somewhere outside Florida?

balskie, amping diha kanunay. unsay update sa inyong kahimtang sa Florida. nag panic buying na diay ang mga tawo. ang Carribean ug ubang South Pacific countries naharos sa Irma.

Tricycle Ride in Tagbilaran City, Bohol

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A tertiary hospital in Pampanga, first to have an OFW wing

Government agencies and ACTS-OFW Party-list, are ready to make sure that the country’s public hospitals can step forward to help overseas Filipino workers, particularly those returning with illnesses, in getting proper medical care along with their families who are here in the country.

Regional public hospitals under the Department of Health, are setting up OFW wings and procedures for pre-employment medical examination requirements. The first of these hospitals is the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital (JBL) in San Fernando, Pampanga which I recently visited.

JBL Chief Dr. Monserrat "Chie" Chichioco assures me that the services would include Hemodialysis and Chemo therapy for OFW catastrophic cases FREE of charge.

For the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, a Level III tertiary, teaching and training hospital with 500 authorized beds, the Duterte administration proposed a P578.44 million budget for 2018. I will defend that budget, as an expression of the gratitude of OFWs to the hospital and its staff. (http://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/NEP2018/DOH/A.pdf  â€" see page 21 of 32)

According to 2013 United Nations Global Migration statistics, there are 10.23 million overseas Filipinos worldwide. Ten percent of our population are overseas Filipinos that is why it is just fitting that we take good care of them and their families by having OFW wings in every government hospital nationwide.

On September 7, the first of a series of agreements, will be signed to formalize the measures for the OFW wings of the DOH regional hospitals. Collaborating for the welfare of OFWs are the ACTS-OFW Party-list, the Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Representing Pampanga on September 7 are Congresswoman and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Governor Lilia Pineda.

The agreement is scheduled for signing at the Makati Diamond Residences Hotel in Makati City. Details about the agreement will be released during the signing ceremonies.

(Cebu City). The Department of Energy (DOE) today urged consumers in the Visayas to be wiser and more intelligent users of energy resources as the agency kicked off its E-Power Mo Visayas campaign on Thursday at the Energy Investment Forum and Stakeholders Conference in Marco Polo Hotel, Cebu City.

“The 'E-Power Mo' is the Department of Energy’s campaign to empower and educate consumers of their options for a wiser and more intelligent utilization of energy resources,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said in his keynote speech delivered by DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella during the opening of the conference.

“To better explain energy to the consumers, we have developed energy tag lines to simplify the energy programs for the consuming Filipino... Hence, we coined the over-arching terms: E-POWER MO\uD83D\uDC4A, E-SAFETY MO\uD83D\uDC4A, E-SECURE MO\uD83D\uDC4A and E-DISKARTE MO,” Cusi said.

The DOE also ensures the facilitation of projects to develop indigenous energy resources to support local economic activity, which will enable the country and the people to become globally competitive, according to Cusi.


“Under the Duterte Administration, real changes will be implemented to heed the call for government to accelerate poverty reduction, speed up infrastructure projects, create more employment opportunities and improve government services in order to ensure that economic growth is actually felt by all Filipinos,” he said.

DOE-Visayas Field Office Dir. Antonio Labios is leading the E-Power Mo Visayas campaign.

“Aside from formulating energy policies and implementing various projects and activities, we at the Department of Energy are now intensifying our information dissemination drive to share our programs and activities in a holistic manner,” Labios said.

The campaign is in support of the direction of the current administration to interact more closely with all stakeholders and partners in propelling energy development to ensure sustainable, stable, secure, sufficient, accessible and affordable supply of power, said Labios.

The conference is a collaboration among the DOE, Philippine Information Agency, USAID B-LEADERS Program and the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

The meeting provided the participants more detailed presentations on the energy programs, investment opportunities and power related development plans in the country.

Breakout sessions were held during the conference to apprise participants on current and relevant energy topics, including oil, power, resource development, energy efficiency and consumer rights, among others.

The event was attended by around 600 individuals coming from energy companies involved in power, renewable energy, coal, petroleum, natural gas, alternative vehicles and energy efficiency industries, as well as partners from national government agencies, energy associations and students, among others.

Balskie, kumusta ang inyong situation diha? Please provide us a blow-by-blow report. Kusog ni si Irma. Unsay situation sa ubang Filipino diha? what are your preparations, Balskie?

Press Release: SON OF OFW, LATEST VICTIM OF AN ALLEGED EJK

NBI FORENSICS CALLED TO INVESTIGATE; UP COLLEGE OF LAW URGED TO WATCH OVER THE CASE

OFW solon calls on the forensics unit of the National Bureau of Investigation to immediately investigate the latest case of alleged shooting incident that led to the death of a son of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) mother.

ACTS-OFW Party-list Representative Aniceto “John” Bertiz, III said the NBI Forensics Unit has the expertise and technology to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Carlo Angelo Arnaiz, a 19-year-old former University of the Philippines student.

Bertiz believes that the findings of the NBI shall help in the case build-up against the erring cops who are the alleged perpetrators of this latest Kian de los Santos-like anti-crime killing.

According to the report of the Caloocan police, Arnaiz flagged down a taxi cab in Navotas City. Arnaiz hit the driver with a pistol and took his wallet. The cab driver managed to ask for help from cops but Arnaiz fired at them, leading to a shootout which left the boy dead.

Though supportive of the anti-drug campaign of the PNP, Bertiz doubts the cops’ version of the incident and urges University of the Philippines President Atty. Danny Concepcion and the UP Colege of Law to keep close watch over this case.

“Kampante na sana ang OFWs na hindi malululon sa masamang bisyo ang kanilang mga naiwang anak sa Pilipinas dahil sa seryosong kampanya ni Pangulong Duterte laban sa ilegal na sa droga; kaso nga lang tila napapalitan na ito ng pangamba dahil sa nangyari kay Kian De los Santos, at pati dito kay Carlo Arnaiz. Nangangamba ang mga OFW na baka mangyari din sa mga kaanak nila ang sinapit ng dalawang binata.” Bertiz said.

Bertiz sympathized with the OFW mother of Kian and filed House Bill 6250 or “The Kian delos Santos Body Cam Act of 2017.” Bertiz explained that if the Caloocan City police had body cameras on them, we would have had clear video evidence now of how these operations happened and see who were responsible. (END)

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Press Release: OFW WINGS BEING READIED AT DOH HOSPITALS NATIONWIDE
A tertiary hospital in Pampanga, first to have an OFW wing

Government agencies and ACTS-OFW Party-list, are ready to make sure that the country’s public hospitals can step forward to help overseas Filipino workers, particularly those returning with illnesses, in getting proper medical care along with their families who are here in the country.

Regional public hospitals under the Department of Health, are setting up OFW wings and procedures for pre-employment medical examination requirements. The first of these hospitals is the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital (JBL) in San Fernando, Pampanga which I recently visited.
​
JBL Chief Dr. Monserrat "Chie" Chichioco assures me that the services would include Hemodialysis and Chemo therapy for OFW catastrophic cases FREE of charge.

For the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, a Level III tertiary, teaching and training hospital with 500 authorized beds, the Duterte administration proposed a P578.44 million budget for 2018. I will defend that budget, as an expression of the gratitude of OFWs to the hospital and its staff. (http://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/NEP2018/DOH/A.pdf  â€" see page 21 of 32)

According to 2013 United Nations Global Migration statistics, there are 10.23 million overseas Filipinos worldwide. Ten percent of our population are overseas Filipinos that is why it is just fitting that we take good care of them and their families by having OFW wings in every government hospital nationwide.

On September 7, the first of a series of agreements, will be signed to formalize the measures for the OFW wings of the DOH regional hospitals. Collaborating for the welfare of OFWs are the ACTS-OFW Party-list, the Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Representing Pampanga on September 7 are Congresswoman and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Governor Lilia Pineda.

The agreement is scheduled for signing at the Makati Diamond Residences Hotel in Makati City. Details about the agreement will be released during the signing ceremonies.

DTI Secretary: PH innovation, entrep ecosystem now
                                                                                                 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez underscored the need to develop an inclusive, innovation-led industrial and entrepreneurship ecosystem that will upgrade the competitiveness of the Philippine (PH) agri-industry, manufacturing and services sectors, thus improving productivity, output generation, and later on income of every Filipino.

This after the trade chief and other government officials completed the study mission (last week of August) in the United States (US) on building an inclusive innovation system in the Philippines.

“The objective of the mission is to study how we can build a stronger platform of inclusive innovation-led industrial and entrepreneurship ecosystem that will support our core sectors, ensuring their sustained growth and ability to generate more jobs and business opportunities, as Dutertenomics’ way of solving poverty,” said Sec. Lopez.

The study mission also aims to align the quality and capacities of Filipino manpower to the challenging requirements of the sectors, especially in view of today’s economic integration and development in artificial intelligence (AI), according to him.

DTI and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently initiated the formation of the country’s inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem that will promote the collaborative efforts among the government, research and development (R&D) institutions, the academe, the industries and the private organizations to support greater innovation and technology application to support PH’s core industries.

Other PH agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) and industry groups shall be part of the ecosystem that will encourage the infusion of continuous innovation, science and technology in the country's economic sectors to generate more competitive and higher value added products. 

The government concluded said study mission to the technology and innovation hubs and ecosystems in the US such as the Silicon Valley in California, the Research and Technology Park (RTP) in North Carolina, the Small Business Innovation Research, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine and the National Academy of Science Foundation in Washington.

DTI and DOST will lead the convening of all enablers in the innovation ecosystem to map out the overall framework and programs to be implemented.

“We shall soon present this to the President, with a corresponding draft Executive Order that will manifest the importance given by the President in championing this vision to make the Philippines an inclusive and innovation led advanced economy,” Sec. Lopez concluded.

To maximize the trip, DTI has also met with current and potential investors in San Francisco and New York to update them of the sustained robust economic performance under the Duterte administration, the rebound in the industry, manufacturing and agriculture growth performance, faster investment growth, and turnaround in the exports performances.

DTI met with the executives of Wells Fargo and Western Digital in San Francisco, as well as with the US-Philippines Society, the American Apparel and Footwear Association, and the Shearwater Healthcare Services in New York.

According to Sec. Lopez, the country’s quest for innovation should enable Filipinos to prepare for the requirements of the future, upgrading their skills and income-generating capacities.

“The stronger linkages within the ecosystem should support the development of our industry clusters in the regions, benefitting from better technology inputs and promoting productivity in the value chain.  This will complement efforts we do in improving the ease of doing business and the aggressive infrastructure program,” he added.

The mission also benefitted from the sharing of recent technologies developed by the group of Dr. Dado Banatao, the most successful Filipino technology entrepreneur in the US and leading computer technology developer.  His group developed the fast computing chip for computer and similar gadgets. Dr. Banatao showed DTI his facilities and game changing projects, including a stronger WIFI service that can upgrade PH’s broadband speed.

The study mission is organized with the assistance of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Science and Technology Research and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) project with RTI International. (PR)

no camera trick ba ni, balskie?

US Ambassador Announces Php730M Relief, Recovery Assistance for Marawi

Manila, September 5, 2017 â€" The U.S. government, through the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has committed approximately Php730 million ($14.3 million) in emergency relief and recovery assistance for communities affected by the ongoing conflict in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and its surrounding areas.  U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim made the announcement today during a media engagement at the U.S. Embassy.

“The United States is deeply committed to this relationship and remains ready to support our friend and ally as we face the challenges and opportunities,” Ambassador Kim said.  “We all look forward to the end of the crisis, and the end of the fighting and suffering.  We have been and will continue to support the Philippine government’s efforts to deal with the crisis.”

The U.S. government will coordinate with the Philippine government and humanitarian organizations on the ground to deliver critical relief supplies such as safe drinking water, hygiene kits, kitchen sets, and shelter materials that will improve conditions in evacuation centers and other alternative housing.  USAID will also provide 18 facilities in Marawi with critical supplies and services to address tuberculosis and maternal, newborn and child health needs.

In addition to this, USAID will help bolster the early recovery of Marawi by restoring basic public services such as health care, water, and electricity.  It will support Marawi’s longer-term stabilization and rehabilitation by jumpstarting livelihoods, promoting community dialogue, rebuilding resilient health systems, and offering skills training and psychosocial counseling for youth.

Last July, the U.S. government provided access to potable water by distributing 12,000 water containers and nearly 100,000 chlorine tablets to 12,000 families staying in evacuation sites in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Iligan City.

The U.S. government has likewise committed to supply 6,500 tablet arm chairs, which will be distributed to schools in Mindanao where displaced Marawi students are currently enrolled.

USAID supports peace and community development in Mindanao through 25 ongoing projects that improve local governance, strengthen the government’s capacity to deliver services, especially in health and education, and promote civic engagement.

(Nasugbu, Batangas). The Philippine government is pursuing its thrust to promote energy efficiency, sustainability and total electrification.

This was the message conveyed by the Department of Energy (DOE) to the European Union (EU) and World Bank (WB) as they conducted a joint planning workshop for the Supported Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP) from August 30 to September 1, 2017 at Camp Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas.

“The DOE is prioritizing the delivery of quality energy service to our people, not only in the business districts but also in the rural areas”, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi explained.

The objective of the ASEP is to assist the Philippines in expanding sustainable energy generation to meet growing economic needs and provide energy access to the poor and marginalized sector in accordance with the Philippine Development Plan.

The objective was also emphasized during the Philippine-EU ASEP conference held last March 9, 2017, signaling the start of the joint undertaking between the DOE, EU and WB.

The workshop aims to reacquaint the participants with the organizational structure and implementation mechanism of ASEP and its components to improve inter-agency coordination and streamlining of the overall implementation process.

ASEP will be implemented through three components: Component 1, the “Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Pillar (ASEP-TA)”, Component 2, the “Investment Support” managed by the World Bank, and Component 3, the “Call for Proposals for Pro-Poor and Climate Resilient Innovative Energy Solutions” directly managed by the EU Delegation.

“With all the program's key players gathered in one venue, we aim to seek each other's concerns, insights and suggestions to be more synergized in our approach towards carrying out the ASEP”, Cusi said.

The DOE expects the participants to be more updated on the different implementation mechanisms and roles of ASEP players after the joint planning workshop with hopes that this will further strengthen the agency’s E-Power Mo Campaign, designed to empower consumers by providing them information and options on the intelligent utilization of energy resources.

Participants in the event included representatives from the ASEP-Technical Assistance Team, European Union Delegation to the Philippines, World Bank and DOE’s partner government agencies: National Electrification Agency (NEA), National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR).

OFW SOLON PRESENTS ROADMAP FOR REAL CHANGE AT CUSTOMS
By Rep. Aniceto “John” D. Bertiz
ACTS-OFW Party-list

Three-Pronged Approach:

Building a New Bureau from the Ground Up

Continuity of Customs Operations via International Bidding of All Customs Operations & Implementation of All Customs Operations by the Winning Bidder for Five to Ten Years

Sorting the Bad from the Good

Components:

North Stars: The Revised Arusha Declaration of 2003 & Revised Kyoto Convention of 1999

The Unsustained Philippine Customs Reform Era of 1992-1998

Corporatization of the Bureau of Customs

Breathing and Reform Space: The Internationalization of Customs Operations

First Things First

What will happen to the current personnel of the Bureau of Customs?

We will not tolerate violation of Civil Service Laws and Regulations. We will continue to uphold and observe them. At the Bureau of Customs, the good are mixed in with the bad. That is the problem.

What we will do is transfer all personnel of the current Bureau of Customs into a Customs Human Resource Assets Administration. There will be no reduction in pay and benefits. Their pay and benefits will stay the same.

CHRAA will be tasked to cleanse the transferred personnel of all the corrupt, incompetent, and undesirables. It will conduct a vetting process and lifestyle check on each and every personnel. No one will be spared.

Current customs personnel who do not want to transfer will be allowed early retirement, but before they retire, they will still undergo a lifestyle check to make sure anyone liable for corruption and incompetence among them will be held liable because we cannot reward corruption and incompetence with early retirement benefits.

This same process of creating another entity for the sorting of assets was the same approach adopted by the government when it reformed the Central Bank into the Bangko Sentral. This same process was also adopted when the old National Power Corporation was reformed through the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

A new entity was created to manage the debts that burdened the old Central Bank. In this situation with the Bureau of Customs, we do not have the same kind of liabilities, but what we have are peopleâ€"the good and bad mixed in togetherâ€"and they need sorting out.

In the EPIRA Law, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Corporation (PSALM) was tasked to manage the troublesome assets and liabilities that burdened the NAPOCOR.

Yes, a bill is necessary for this and that is already in the works.

North Stars: The Revised Arusha Declaration of 2003 & Revised Kyoto Convention of 1999

The Revised Arusha Declaration of 2003 & Revised Kyoto Convention of 1999 are the two key international standards on customs administration worldwide. We only need to adhere to them and stand by our commitments on these standards.

The good people in the Bureau of Customs are well aware of these two North Stars. These North Stars give us hope that reforming the Customs in the Philippines is possible because these North Stars guide us to the benchmarks, best practices, and global standards.

Herewith as annexes are backgrounders on the Revised Arusha Declaration of 2003 & Revised Kyoto Convention of 1999.

Philippine Customs Commission

This is the missing element in the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016. With the Philippine Customs Commission, we build a new Customs agency. A new law on this will, of course, be needed.

Aside from the CHRAA, there shall be a Philippines Customs Commission. The PCC will have a new role. It will be like the current Metropolitan Water and Sewerage System as mandated by Republic Act 8041 or the Water Crisis Act. The MWSS now sets policies but the operation of water and sewerage systems are with concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad Water.

Needed to undertake the daily tasks of customs operations are corporations, to be listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange, that will deliver customs services under the watchful eyes of the investing public, civil society organizations, and stakeholders.

These Customs Operations Corporations will be the concessionaires and be partly government owned, not fully government owned. The core competence area of the private sector is efficiency and effectiveness of operations. That is not the competence area of government. of governmental role must focus on policy, national security, and law enforcement. Majority ownership and control is not necessary to ensure that the Customs Operations Corporations follow the policies of the PCC. At least thirty-five percent ownership would suffice. The remainder of the shares will be sold in the stock market.

Breathing and Reform Space: The Internationalization of Customs Operations

While the Customs Operations Corporations are being put together, we need to bring in quick solutions and this need will be addressed, following our Build Operate and Transfer Laws and relevant laws, by bidding out the day to day Customs operations.

This bidding shall be international and it shall not follow the lowest bid approach. We shall take some cues from the reform measures on Government Procurement and Bidding now undertaken by the Duterte Administration.

Our country has many experts in international business law, corporate law, customs, and tariffs. We shall seek their counsel on how to work out the details of this.

The Unsustained Philippine Customs Reform Era of 1992-1998

Reform had some opportunity to set in at the Bureau of Customs from 1992 to 1998. This was during the Ramos Administration when the leadership of the Bureau had formidable political backing from President Ramos and his economic and security advisers.

But the reform was not sustained. The corrupt in the Bureau just stayed in the shadows and waited for the Ramos Administration to exit. Then it was back to old business.

Much of the modernization the Customs Bureau has experienced had their roots or origins in the 1992-1998 time frame.

The reforms back then were internationally recognized and applauded. Unfortunately, they were not sustained.

Avoiding the mistakes of the past involves learning the lessons of reforms, particularly those implemented for Central Banking and for Higher Education, as well as good governance practices in place in companies listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was given a fixed term that provides ample protection from changes in the national leadership’s appointing authority and influencers.

The same was done at the Commission on Higher Education where the CHED Chairman and Commissioners have fixed terms of office similar to that of the Bangko Sentral Governor.

The laws of the Bangko Sentral and CHED provide for quality assurance as regards who get to be appointed. Their charters have stringent qualifications.

Companies listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange are required to have Independent Members in the board of directors. This practice shall be adopted into the Philippine Customs Commission and the Customs Operations Corporations that will eventually run day to day customs functions.

Finally, we shall revive the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (EIIB) and place it either under the Department of Finance or the Bangko Sentral. The Intelligence and Investigation Units of the current Bureau of Customs will be transferred to the EIIB.  We shall also transfer to the EIIB the intelligence and investigation functions and offices of agencies that are concerned with going after counterfeiters, perpetrators of business scams and industrial espionage.

STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE NEIL J. ABAYON
AANGAT TAYO Party-list
Assistant Minority Leader
Member, Committee on Dangerous Drugs

TRANSFORM, NOT ABOLISH CUSTOMS

The corrupt people inside the Bureau of Customs and their partners in crime outside of the bureau know the customs system very well. They are well-entrenched.

Simply abolishing the BOC and creating another agency that will just absorb the personnel of the BOC will just mean the corruption will stay because the bad are mixed in with the good.

Simply abolishing BOC does not mean no more shipments of drugs will slide through the corrupted system.

We need to transform the Bureau of Customs.

What we need is an effective way to weed out the bad and solve other related problems along the way. No country can exist without a customs bureau. That is a necessity.

But there have been ways to separate bad assets and liabilities in past reform measures past Congresses have done.

For example, when the National Power Corporation was reformed, Congress created the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation. https://www.psalm.gov.ph/ 

When Congress reformed the Central Bank of the Philippines, Congress created a Board of Liquidators to dispose of assets and liabilities that burdened the Central Bank.

We also need to focus Customs on policy-making in very much the same way that the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) are now regulating their respective jurisdictions in water and energy.

We need world-class customs, tariff, and border control systems. For these, we need to outsource from overseas because what we have here simply does not work they way we all want it to work. In other words, international competitive bidding of customs operations, and new agencies to handle tariff and border control.

U.S. Transfers M40 Field Protective Masks to AFP to Support Counterterrorism Operations

Manila, September 2, 2017 â€" Officials from the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) delivered 1,000 M40 field protective masks and C2 filter canisters to the Philippine Navy (PN) through the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) on August 30 and 31, 2017.

As the fighting continues in Mindanao, the PN requested these gas masks in order to better prepare their sailors and marines to respond to chemical threats.

This transfer is part of a series of ongoing transfers from the U.S. military to multiple branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through both MLSA and the security assistance program.  Through the MLSA, the AFP is able to receive select munitions and equipment from U.S. military stock in an accelerated process reserved for allies and close partners of the United States.

The United States is proud to work closely with the Republic of the Philippines and will continue to support capacity-building counterterrorism efforts and the AFP’s long-term modernization goals.

(Bagac, Bataan). As part of determining a national position on the utilization of nuclear energy, the Department of Energy (DOE), National Power Corporation (NPC) and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) embarked on a pre-feasibility study to determine if the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) can be rehabilitated. The study was made with the assistance of Russia's atomic energy corporation ROSATOM.

“Russian nuclear agency ROSATOM provides the study for free as part of the cooperation between the Philippines and Russia,” DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi revealed on Thursday.

The study is an offshoot of the strengthened cooperation forged by the Philippine and Russian governments during the meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last May.

The DOE's Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO) headed by DOE Undersecretary Donato Marcos will define the scope of work for the pre-feasibility study.

"There will be six working groups with specific tasks and programs of activities that will form part of the said pre-feasibility study," Marcos said in a press conference at the NPC Nuclear Village in Bagac on Wednesday.

“These working groups have been established to undertake the study that will last for about two months starting first week of September,” according to Usec. Marcos.

The Structure Stability Analysis Group focuses on selective visual and instrumental inspection, the estimation of their residual life and service life, listing of materials for repair and replacements and the assessment of facilities suitability level for operation.

The Functionality Analysis Group specializes in the instrumentation and control, electrical, mechanical and ventilation equipment, electrical parts/cables and design.

The Documentation Group covers the collection and analysis of existing documents about BNPP, evaluation of compliance with design safety, analysis of safety concept, elaboration of the list of risks and the assessment of design licensability risk.

The Result Analysis working group will determine the construction scope and cost, equipment needed, net revival cost calculation and financial risks and assessments.

There is also a Report Preparation Group, which will come up with the integrated overall schedule of BNPP revival, preliminary assessment on expenses and cost estimates and more importantly, the technical report bearing the preliminary conclusion on the possibility and conditions for the plant’s revival.

Finally, the working group 6, the Owner’s Support and Assistance, will provide the personal protective equipment, conducive working conditions, office equipment, food and transportation, construction laboratory and approval of the audit program.

The BNPP was visited by the participants to physically assess the work requirements of each working group.

Marcos led the Philippine delegation together with Department of Science and Technology-PNRI Director Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla and NPC Asset Preservation Manager Engr. Mauro Marcelo, Jr., Djurica Tankosic, Worley Parsons, President of Global Nuclear, and Leos Tomicek, Rusatom Overseas Senior Vice President of Nuclear Projects and Project Curator of ROSATOM headed the foreign experts audit team.

The DOE assures the people that it is careful, stringent and comprehensive in formulating a national position for the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy in the country.

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By Leman Zeynalova â€" Trend:

Hurricane Harvey looks set to disrupt the US Gulf Coast crude and product markets in the coming days and possibly weeks, according to the US JP Morgan analysis.

“Offshore dislocations appear limited, relative to the more significant onshore disruption to refining and midstream infrastructure. A slow restart of refineries will tighten product markets in the Gulf Coast and US East Coast regions and also further afield,” said the analysis obtained by Trend.

In contrast to previous Hurricane-related outages, the region is a significant supplier of crude and products to Europe, Latin American and increasingly further afield, said the analysts.

However, JP Morgan believes that once the disruption ebbs, a process that could take several weeks, but is more likely to be largely resolved in a matter of days, the bigger picture will still be one of seasonally softer demand for products by consumers in the coming weeks and falling crude use by refineries as planned maintenance ramps up.

“We retain a cautious outlook on crude in the short term, and for 2018, where we expect West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil to average $42 per barrel as resurgent US crude production combines with increasing OPEC/non-OPEC supply to swamp markets - particularly during the first half of 2018,” said the analysts.

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The Independent - Dejan Lovren believes Liverpool's 4-0 thrashing of Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday proved that they are superior to Arsene Wenger's side in every area of the pitch.

Arsenal failed to register a shot on target as Liverpool dominated them from the first minute, with goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge earning the three points.

The two clubs started the season with similar expectations but Lovren, as part of a defence that kept its second straight clean sheet, saw enough to conclude that there is a significant gap in quality between the two teams.

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Klopp: Champions League qualification is reward for hard work

“It was a pleasure for everyone today, especially for us lads, because we knew straight away it's not Crystal Palace or Hoffenheim, it's Arsenal,” he said.

“With their qualities they can always score, but today we showed in every position that we are stronger than them. It was a deserved win.

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STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE
ANICETO “JOHN” D. BERTIZ, III
ACTS OFW Party-list
Member, Committees on Foreign Affairs,
Overseas Workers Affairs, Labor & Employment,
Appropriations, and 17 other committees

In Honor of OFWs, our Modern Day Heroes

CUSTOMS, PLEASE DO NOT OVERBURDEN OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ABOUT BALIKBAYAN BOXES, SOLON ASKS

I call upon the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Finance to REMOVE the requirement of the submission of invoices, receipt or proof of payment of the goods contained in the balikbayan boxes.
                                                                 
This imposition is burdensome and achieves no notable purpose. It is detached from reality or unrealistic. It is contained in Section 5.1.2 of CAO 05-2016 and Sections 4.2.3 (i.i.2) and (ii.ii.3) of CMO 04-2017.

It overlooks the fact that on an average, it takes an OFW almost 4-6 months to complete fill-up a balikbayan box before it is shipped to the Philippines.

Thus, to require the OFW to keep all of the receipts is not realistic, given that these are receipts issued by groceries, convenience stores and other thrift shops from whom the OFW buys voluminous items for consumption.

Moreover, there may be instances wherein a store does not issue receipts for items purchased by the OFW. Thus, the OFW will be hard-pressed to produce or even keep these documents in the first instance.

I also urge the Bureau of Customs and Department of Finance to simplify their definition of Qualified Filipinos Abroad because their current definition is restrictive and marginalizes individuals otherwise qualified to avail of the tax and duty-privilege provided for by the CMTA (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).

The Bureau of Customs’ CAO 05-2016 limits the privilege of availing of the duty and tax-free exemption under Section 800(g) of Republic Act No. 10863 to “Qualified Filipinos While Abroad”, which is defined under Section 3.22 of CAO 05-2016, as follows:

“3.2 Qualified Filipinos Abroad- A collective term used to refer to Non-Resident Filipinos defined in Section 3.19, OFWS defined in Section 3.20 and Resident Filipinos under Section 3.24 of the CAO.”

On the other hand, the aforecited Sections of the CAO states, as follows:

1. Non-Resident Filipinos-refer to Filipinos who have established permanent residency abroad but have retained Filipino citizenship, whether or not they have availed of the benefits under Republic Act No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Re-Acquisition Act of 2003;

2. Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) - refers to holders of a valid passport issued by the Department of Labor and Employment or POEA for overseas employment purposes. This covers all Filipinos working in a foreign country under employment contracts, regardless of their profession, skills or employment status in a foreign country. For purposes of the CAO, the term OFW includes Filipinos working abroad under job contracts who do not require a certification from the Department of Labor and Employment or the POEA.

3. Resident Filipinos-refers to Filipino citizens who temporarily stay abroad which may included holders of student visa, holders of investors visa, holders of tourist visa and similar visas which allows them to temporary stay abroad.

While the definition of “Non-Resident Filipinos” states that it refers to “Filipinos who have established permanent residency abroad but who have retained Filipino citizenship”, the same proviso states that the same is “whether or not they have availed of the benefits under Republic Act No. 9225”, we submit that the  spirit and intent of the law, as provided for in Section 800(g), is that the privilege is, and should be given to all Filipinos, regardless of whether they have lost their citizenship or whether they have applied for the reacquisition of Filipino citizenship under Republic Act No. 9225 or whether they have been issue a valid visa by the government of the country where they are residing or working, as the case may be.

The CAO effectively marginalized or disenfranchised Filipinos who are undocumented or who may not possess the proper legal status for them to stay or work in a foreign country, given that the law provides that Qualified Filipinos Abroad refers to those who (a) have established permanent residency abroad or (b) those who are holders of a valid visa issued by a foreign country.

The National Internal Revenue Code and the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 already provide for much simpler definitions which the Bureau of Customs should follow.

The National Internal Revenue Code (Section 22 E) defines who non-resident Filipinos are for taxation purposes:

(E) The term 'nonresident citizen' means;

(1) A citizen of the Philippines who establishes to the satisfaction of the Commissioner the fact of his physical presence abroad with a definite intention to reside therein.

(2) A citizen of the Philippines who leaves the Philippines during the taxable year to reside abroad, either as an immigrant or for employment on a permanent basis.

(3) A citizen of the Philippines who works and derives income from abroad and whose employment thereat requires him to be physically present abroad most of the time during the taxable year.

(4) A citizen who has been previously considered as nonresident citizen and who arrives in the Philippines at any time during the taxable year to reside permanently in the Philippines shall likewise be treated as a nonresident citizen for the taxable year in which he arrives in the Philippines with respect to his income derived from sources abroad until the date of his arrival in the Philippines.

(5) The taxpayer shall submit proof to the Commissioner to show his intention of leaving the Philippines to reside permanently abroad or to return to and reside in the Philippines as the case may be for purpose of this Section.

The NIRC also defines how the income of the overseas contract worker shall be taxed:

Section 23 (C):

An individual citizen of the Philippines who is working and deriving income from abroad as an overseas contract worker is taxable only on income derived from sources within the Philippines: Provided, that a seaman who is a citizen of the Philippines and who receives compensation for services rendered abroad as a member of the complement of a vessel engaged exclusively in international trade shall be treated as an overseas contract worker;

In the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, we have Section 2 which amends Section 3, paragraph (a) of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended:

    “(a) “Overseas Filipino worker” refers to a person who is to be engaged, is engaged or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a state of which he or she is not a citizen or on board a vessel navigating the foreign seas other than a government ship used for military or non-commercial purposes or on an installation located offshore or on the high seas; to be used interchangeably with migrant worker.” (END)

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Commander of U.S. Pacific Command visits the Philippines

Top Left: (L-R) Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Rear Adm. Narciso A. Vingson Jr. and Commander of U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. honor fallen Filipinos at the Heroes’ Cemetery in Taguig.  Top Right: (L-R) U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., and Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte met in Malacañan to discuss U.S. support to the Philippine government for ongoing efforts to end the conflict in Marawi, interoperability between our two militaries, and regional threats.  Bottom: (L-R) Commander of U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. and Commander of Western Mindanao Command Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. shake hands after their meeting in Zamboanga to discuss the opportunity for future U.S. support in Marawi.
                                                         
Manila, August 24, 2017 â€" The Commander of the United States Pacific Command Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. visited the Philippines August 23 to 24 to meet with Philippine military and government leadership.

Most notably, Adm. Harris met with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañan to discuss U.S. support to the Philippine government for ongoing efforts to end the conflict in Marawi, interoperability between our two militaries, and regional threats.

Adm. Harris participated in a wreath laying ceremony on August 23 at the Heroes’ Cemetery, or Libingan ng mga Bayani, in Taguig to honor the sacrifice of the brave Filipino military heroes buried there.

He also met with Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Eduardo Año, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano, and traveled to Zamboanga to meet Commander of Western Mindanao Command Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr.

The Admiral’s meetings focused on upcoming bi-lateral engagements, recent aid and military assistance that the U.S. government has provided to the Philippines, as well as opportunities for additional U.S. support in Marawi.

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STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE
BERNADETTE HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information
Vice Chair, Welfare of Children
Member, Committees on Health, Social Services,
and 7 other Committees

LTFRB CHAIR SEEMS CONFUSED, ROBOTIC

I was surprised and bothered by the tenor of LTFRB Chairman Delgra’s statements on UNTV most recently. It was stiff, robotic, and lack empathy for commuters.

Chairman Delgra wants us to believe that the burden of enforcing the law should be primarily on every commuter, who by the way have already been reporting via social media the pictures and videos of tax drivers violating the terms and conditions of their provisional authority and certificate of public convenience. https://www.facebook.com/s1rh4ck3r/videos/1776417992386074/

Chairman Delgra seems to have forgotten that the LTFRB is a law enforcement agency, aside from being a quasi-judicial body, with specific responsibilities over transport services providers given the privilege of serving the public. It is he and his fellow officials at the LTFRB who should really be going after all those taxi drivers, passenger buses, PUJs who have not been honoring the terms of the respective franchises issued by the LTFRB itself.

Chairman Delgra is apparently in lawyer mode when he misguidedly urges commuters to file verified complaints against erring drivers. He should be lawyering for the commuters, but it looks more like he is lawyering for someone else, because his position given the violators the defense or protection they need against the complaining and underserved public.

As Chair of the Committee on Public Information and Member of the Committee on Metro-Manila Development, I say that if you can’t find in yourself any empathy for the riding public and if you are confused about what the LTFRB should really be doing, maybe you may want to rethink your position as LTFRB Chair.

STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE NEIL J. ABAYON
AANGAT TAYO Party-list
Assistant Minority Leader

On abusive taxi drivers

ASSERTIVENESS IS NOT THE ANSWER LTFRB CHAIRMAN DELGRA

In direct response to the incongruous statements of LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra, III in his interview with Daniel Razon on UNTV, I say taxis and other public transport utilities should be the ones accommodating or adjusting to the needs of the riding public they are supposed to serve and not the other way around.

So I do not see any sense to why the riding public has to be the one to "assert" their right.  https://www.facebook.com/s1rh4ck3r/videos/1776417992386074/

Majority are not lawyers to be well aware of all their rights, so it is unrealistic to expect a common commuter to be more knowledgeable than a person who studied law and have legal knowledge.

In Chairman Delgra's mind, it seems taxis can get away with violations because we commuters are not assertive enough but TNVS must be penalized outright by the LTFRB because they do not comply with the law and LTFRB directives.

Uber has admitted their mistake and has been fined and suspended. Yet these taxis, there is already clear evidence showing blatant violations of the law yet the Chairman requires us to be more "assertive". How come versus Uber, it was LTFRB who was very assertive in penalizing them. And I applaud them for that for that is their duty.

Now, against the other party, the taxis, it seems they require us, the riding public, to be the ones being assertive and they all of a sudden seem to have lost their desire for justice to be served. I will let the riding public be the judge of the Chairman’s partiality.

DA tells Negrenses: It’s safe to eat chicken

Erwin Nicavera  August 26, 2017, 1:45 pm Share
BACOLOD CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) here has encouraged residents to eat chicken because Negros Occidental is free from avian flu virus.

To show that it is safe to eat chicken and other poultry products, DA-Negros Island Region Director Joyce Wendam on Friday led a boodle fight here where agency personnel and a group of farmer-raisers and producers consumed chicken dishes and boiled eggs with organic rice, tomatoes, and bananas.

Wendam said the bird flu outbreak in Luzon also caused the drop in consumption of chicken in Negros Occidental. It is manifested in the slight decrease in prices of chicken, she added.

“We are enjoining the people in Negros Occidental to help create and sustain a resilient poultry sector by patronizing local products amid the pressing industry challenges,” the DA official said.

Wendam said the livestock and poultry industry is vital to the province's economy. Consumers play a critical role in sustaining it, she added.

Negros Occidental leads in native chicken production, with a yield of almost 5.13 million heads in 2016.

It also remains as the country’s major gamefowl producer, with a production of 25,000 to 50,000 heads every month. (PNA)

7,000 healthy chickens given free in Pampanga town
Joel Mapiles  August 25, 2017, 7:37 pm Share

CANDABA, Pampanga -- Mayor Danilo Baylon on Thursday distributed 7,000 healthy chickens to his constituents in the riverside area here to prove that the town is free from avian influenza or bird flu.

The mayor said the broiler chickens were raised in his poultry farms with properly maintained biosecurity measures.

He said he transported the broilers with a shipping permit and veterinary health certificate issued by the Provincial Veterinary Office.

Baylon added that he provides free chicken to his people even before the bird flu outbreak.

Through his Danway Company, the mayor is regularly distributing broiler chickens to his constituents as part of the firm’s corporate social responsibility and commitment to help the marginalized sector in his town.

“This is also to show that the broilers were not affected by the bird flu virus,” he said.

  Thousands of residents flocked during the distribution as a way of supporting the mayor in promoting Candaba’s bird flu-free campaign.

At present, Candaba is one of the biggest producers of duck and chicken eggs in the country.  (PNA)

DIRECTOR OF LIBRARIES HONORED
by Nicandro M. Pagaran

The Director of Libraries, Mrs. Corazon B. Garcia, retired from Holy Name University effective June 16, 2007. Mrs. Garcia has served HNU for 35 years. She had also served the University of San Carlos for four years before she was employed in Divine World College of Tagbilaran now Holy Name University. She had worked as library staff under the supervision of two predecessors, Mrs. Prudenciana Comiling who later transferred to the National Library and Mrs. Corazon Dompor, who resigned and migrated to the United States. Mrs. Garcia assumed office as Chief Librarian in 1989. Though the designation changed later to the Director of Libraries, the functions and responsibilities didn't change.

Mrs Garcia's formal retirement party started with a thanksgiving mass held on her 60th natal day on June 13, 2007 at the HNU Main Chapel. The library staff, some administrators, close friends and some members of the family attended this solemn mass. Fr. Romeo P. Bancale, SVD, the Vice President for the Academic Affairs was the main celebrant while Fr. Brigido Angngasing, SVD, Fr Teodoro Gapuz, SVD and Fr. Andres Guban, SVD were the co-celebrants. Fr. Gapuz and Fr. Angngasing personally came just to attend the retirement and testimonial dinner of their close friend, Maam Azon.

The theme of Maam Azon's birthday and despidida party was "Charging Out a Bestseller." The party program started with a testimonial dinner at 7:00 in the evening at the Metro Center Hotel Ruby Hall with the SVD priests including special guests (Fr. Angngasing and Fr. Gapuz), HNU Administrators, library staff, friends and barkadas, and family members.

Mr. Marianito Luspo acted as the master of ceremony of the program. The library staff assuming and treating the queen of the night, Mrs. Corazon B. Garcia as a book, intentionally designed the program. Fr. Romeo P. Bancale, SVD gave the introduction comparing Mrs. Garcia to a highly valued book. The National Library Director, Mrs. Prudeciana C. Cruz, gave background information about the work experiences she had with Mrs. Garcia. The song presentation of the library staff was like a frontispiece of the celebrant. Fr. Briggs Angngasing's testimony acknowledged Mrs. Garcia's valuable service to HNU. The program also highlighted the giving of the retirement ring and plaque of appreciation to the honoree. Fr. Ernesto M. Lagura, the University President, read the contents of the plaque before handing it to Mrs. Garcia, in recognition of her thirty five years of valuable service to Holy Name University. The celebrant did a postscript by thanking and appreciating all those who in one way or another made a part of her life in HNU. Likewise, she thanked all those who attended the testimonial dinner.

Library Collection as of June 2007

Total number of titles ------------ 52,229

Total number of volumes -------- 71,613

Actual number of titles ----------- 50,354

Actual number of volumes ------- 62,757

Actual number of AV Materials --- 1,777

Pampanga poultry raisers laud DA lifting of ban

Joel Mapiles  August 22, 2017, 6:16 pm Share
CANDABA, Pampanga -- Duck raisers here lauded the decision of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to lift the ban on the shipment of poultry and poultry products from Luzon to other parts of the country.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol made the announcement upon the recommendation of biosecurity experts.

Benedicta Baylon, president of Candaba Duck Raisers and Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, said that on behalf of her fellow duck raisers, they thank the government and other sectors that expressed concern to their predicament as they lost millions of pesos due to the Avian flu outbreak in San Luis town.

“Maraming salamat sa tulong ninyo at hindi ninyo kami pinabayaan sa gitna ng krisis lalo na kay Governor Lilia Pineda (Thank you for your help especially to Governor Lilia Pineda. You did not forsake and abandon us in the midst of the crisis)," Baylon said.

The DA's move came after the one-kilometer radius from the ground zero of Barangay San Carlos, San Luis town, was cleared and disinfected from avian influenza or bird flu following the culling of more than 300,000 fowls, including those inside the seven-kilometer radius controlled area.

With this, poultry owners and traders can now resume sales under certain conditions to the other parts of the country.

One of those greatly affected by the bird flu outbreak are the Candaba duck raisers wherein 80 percent of their egg production are being shipped to Visayas and Mindanao and only 20 percent are being distributed in Luzon.

In an interview, Candaba Mayor Danilo Baylon, who distributed more than 4,000 pieces of live chicken here for free, admitted that the shipment ban in Visayas and Mindanao took a toll on the poultry industry in his town with an estimated loss of roughly PHP5 million a day.

Likewise, Baylon said the bird flu outbreak affected the sales of poultry feeds that dropped up to 70 percent.

He expressed hope that with this development, poultry farm owners would be encouraged to restart their business.

He also appealed to the national government for more financial assistance to the poultry farmers and displaced farm workers in the province. (PNA)

Holynamian Scribes Shine in CSDPC

Holy Name University-Basic Education Dept. is in a triumphant mood once again as it beams with pride, and hoists another remarkable achievement earned by the Holynamian young student-writers during the annual Tagbilaran City Schools Division Press Conference conducted at Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School on October 11-12, 2016.

The two-day journalistic competition kicked off right after the opening ceremony.

With English and Filipino as the contest media, the participants battled it out in Newswriting, Copyreading and Headline Writing, Sports Writing, Editorial Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Feature Writing, Photojournalism and Script Writing and Radio Broadcasting.

Holy Name University’s delegates were composed of the grade school, junior high school and senior high school aspiring journalists whose trailblazing performance became instrumental in putting dear old Holy Name in the victory map. And the winners are as follows:

Grade School

Eden Eve Lacea   - 3rd Place   - Sports Writing (Filipino)
Niña Olive Avelino   - 3rd Place   - Photojournalism (Filipino)
Keren Christel Calope   - 4th Place   - News Writing (English)
Keren Christel Calope -4th Place   - Feature Writing (Filipino)
France Mariel Gablines - 5th Place   - Editorial Cartoon (Filipino)
Jane Dominique Pacot   - 5th Place   - News Writing (Filipino)
High School

Barbara Acebedo   - 1st Place   - Broadcasting
Dafodelle Alaba
Philipp Bongato
Elijah Cagulada   - Best in Technical Application
Phrea Mirazolle Enoc
Patricia Espiritu
Joelle Priscilla Estrera
Peter Wald Saguirel   - Best Achor
The team was also hailed as Best in Informercial

Irah Coreen Caderao   - 1st Place   - Photojournalism (English)
Jasmine Fleur Joaquin - 1st Place   - Photojournalism (Filipino)
Rico Jose Awayan   - 2nd Place   - Sports Writing (Filipino)
Mary Jasmine Vailoces   - 2nd Place   - Science and Technology Writing (English)
Lord Sam Liston   - 3rd Place   - Copyreading and Headline Writing (English)
Lady May Micabalo   - 3rd Place   - Editorial Writing (Filipino)
Princess Mae Salisid   - 4th Place   - News Writing
Zuleika Marie Madanguit   - 5th Place   - Feature Writing (English)

The winners were under the tulelage of Miss Christine Abigail Andoy, Mr. Temistocles Bongcac, Mr. Ace Uy and Mrs. Marigold Viñalon and they will be among Tagbilaran’s representatives in the upcoming Regional Schools Press Conference in Carcar, Cebu City in December 2016. The group’s achievement could not also have been made possible without the all-out support of Dr. Prisciano S. Legitimas, the school principal, Dr. Ma. Liesle A. Dopeño, language coordinator and the whole HNU administration.

STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE
ANICETO “JOHN” D. BERTIZ, III
Representative, ACTS OFW Party-list
Member, Committees on Foreign Affairs,
Overseas Workers Affairs, Labor & Employment,
Appropriations, and 17 other committees

OFWs, EXPORTERS ARE HAPPY WITH P51 to $1 EXCHANGE RATE

Overseas Filipinos and their dependents here in the Philippines are very happy that they are getting more pesos for every dollar they earn and send back home. The exporters and business process outsourcing sectors are also very happy because they get more pesos for each dollar they earn.

Biggest winners of the sliding peso against the dollar are obviously the exporters and the overseas Filipinos. However, the big losers are the importers of goods and raw materials and the Philippine Gross International Reserves which will decrease and of course there would be direct effects on our foreign debts which are mainly dollar-denominated.

The decline of peso forex in the last decade is a big concern to business and in our domestic economy. It has to be seen on a holistic view taking into consideration the effects to all stakeholders.

Our country's economy has been strong since the 1990s. In December 2006, the Philippines exited from the close watch of the debt program of the International Monetary Fund. The country has been lending to other countries, albeit in small amounts, since 2011.

We are nowhere near the foreign exchange crises of the 1970s and 1980s.

Congress reformed and empowered the Bangko Sentral over the past three decades. We have one of the best central banks in the world.

The new Bangko Sentral "is in firm control of the exchange rate", according to BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla, Jr.

Espenilla even said the P51 to US$ level allows the Philippine peso "to gain some of the price competitiveness we have lost due to the strong peso of recent periods."

PH registers strong first-semester performanceâ€"Lopez Total exports up by 14%; reaches USD 31 billion

MAKATIâ€"Philippine (PH) exports weathered a slowdown in external demand in June to register a strong first semester performance, the country’s trade chief said.

“We always ensure that exports are both resilient and diversified in terms of products and markets,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

Total merchandise exports for the period January to June 2017 stood at USD 31.04 billion, expanding by 14% over the USD 27.33 billion posted during the same period in 2016.

Said expansion is seen almost among all the country’s major export markets, with the People’s Republic of China (including Hongkong SAR) as the country’s top export destination, followed by Japan and the United States (US), according to him.

Electronics, non-electronics show off

Preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the 15% growth of Non-electronics exports outpaced the 12.05% rise in Electronics, accounting for almost equally at 50.1% and 49.9%, respectively, of total merchandise exports.

“The stronger performance of Non-Electronics products vis-à-vis Electronics reflects DTI’s efforts to diversify merchandise exports and improve market mix,” Sec. Lopez added.

For the first semester of 2017, receipts of the following non-electronics increased: Mineral products (81%), Chemicals (11%), Coconut (78%), Footwear (70%), Furniture & Fixtures (43%), Processed Food & Beverages (29%), Machinery & Transport Equipment (24%), Garments (23%), Travel Goods and Handbags (8%), and Iron and Steel (4%).

DTI Undersecretary and Board of Investments (BOI) Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo confirmed that non-electronics have been accounting for a bigger share of total exports from an average of 40% in 2006-2010 to a 54% average in 2011-2016.

“DTI has been partnering with relevant agencies, industry associations as well as specific exporters in improving PH leadership in certain sectors such as in activated carbon, oleochemicals, bananas, pineapples, tuna, and carrageenan/seaweeds and other algae, where assistance to improve quality and quantity of supply is top-most of the agenda,” said Usec. Rodolfo.

DTI also creates more conducive exporting environment for sectors that have crossed or is close to crossing the USD 1 billion value of exports such as travel goods, handbags, footwear and apparel, aircraft parts, coconut, transport services, construction materials such as builders’ joinery and carpentry of wood including wood panels.

Expanding exports, shifting markets

In terms of PH markets, PH’s expansion in exports can be seen in almost all of PH’s export partners, with PROC (including Hongkong SAR) being top export destination, followed by Japan, the United States (US), Singapore, Korea, Thailand, Germany, The Netherlands and Taiwan. PH shipments to almost all these country destinations increased.

According to Usec. Rodolfo, it is worth noting that currently, ASEAN and East Asian neighbors accounted for about 63% of total PH exports, while the US and the European Union (EU) accounted almost equally for 14.7% and 14.9%, respectively, as a result of our pursuit of active trade relations due to opportunities resulting from ASEAN’s free trade agreements with China, Korea, Australia and India.

“We have been seeing in recent years the gradual shift in market distribution leading to a balance in market diversity,” said Sec. Lopez.

While the US continues to be one of PH’s top export destinations, its share to PH total exports has declined from 8% in 2006-2010 to 6% in 2011-2016. Stronger relations with PH neighbors made ASEAN a consistent market for bulk of our products.

China, in recent years, has also emerged as a consistent top market for PH export products, validating PH’s pursuit of an independent foreign policy as the country opens up to new trade partners and finds new markets and new value chain linkages for trade and investments. China accounted for the fastest growth rate at 34%.

“Recent data also showed exports to EU posted strong growth at about 36% due to greater number of utilization of Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade privileges where over 6,000 product lines have 0% tariff duty,” said Sec. Lopez.

The trade chief added that the immense goodwill shown by President Rodrigo Duterte to other nations has resulted to re-strengthened ties not only with China but also with the Middle East. The benefits of special trade arrangements with EU also led to faster export growth in many countries.

Semiconductors drive electronic growth

Semiconductors, which accounted for 72% share of total electronics exports and 36% share of total PH exports, expanded by 12%, driving the growth in electronics.  The share of electronics sector to total merchandise exports has been reduced from an average high of 60% in 2006-2010 to 46% average for 2011-2016. 

The strong global growth in 2017, particularly the surge of global electronics demand, augurs well with the implementation of the regional industrialization plan of the CALABARZON area, which will diversify electronics exports especially in the production of auto electronics parts and components and business expansion towards merging manufacturing with IT through engineering services outsourcing and other areas.

Electronics exports are concentrated in the CALABARZON area, specifically in Laguna, where sales reached almost USD 7 billion for a remarkable growth rate of 146%, and in Cavite, with exports valued at USD 3 billion for a 72% growth. Together, Laguna and Cavite accounted for almost 60% of total electronics exports.

“We are off to a good first semester. The second semester should see us further raising our game to boost PH exports for a bigger share of the global market,” Sec. Lopez concluded.

balskie, safe ra ba ka diha? are you affected by hurricane harvey?